Niger Gov. declares curfew as religious clash claims one live

The Niger Government has declared curfew in Paiko Local Government Area of the state following a violent clash between Hausa and Gwari youths that left one person dead.

This is contained in a statement signed on Saturday by Dr Ibraheem Dooba, Chief Press Secretary to the state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Bello.

'In view of the unfortunate violence in Paiko, the Niger State Government has declared curfew in Paiko town from 10 p.m to 4 a.m until further notice.

'To keep the peace, the people are advised not to violate the curfew, anybody who does would face appropriate consequences for their infraction,' the statement said.

The statement urged the citizens to be law abiding, eschew violence and demonstrate the abiding peace for which the state was known for.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) check in Paiko on Saturday revealed that aside the one person that was confirmed dead, many people were injured as cars and buildings were also destroyed.

NAN gathered from a reliable source in Paiko, who spoke on condition of anonymity, that the fight was an aftermath of the battle over the appointment of the deputy Imam for the Paiko central mosque.

He told NAN that the protest by a group representing the Gwari community led to the violent clash.

He, however, said in the ensued encounter one of the boys lost his life.

The Niger Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Bala Elkana, who confirmed the clash and death of one person, told newsmen that it has anything to do with the tussle over leadership of the central mosque.

Elkana, however, said he was yet to get details of the report from Paiko to enable him brief newsmen properly.