Residents of Kaduna and Zaria on Thursday Thursday jubilated the relaxation of the 24-hour curfew imposed on the two cities by the state government.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) the state government had on Monday declared the curfew on the two cities sequel to the hijacking of the #endbadgovernance nationwide protests.
NAN also recalls that the obnoxious development resulted in a melee, leading to the destruction of public and private property, including one of the commercial banks domiciled in one of the campuses of Kaduna Polytechnic.
NAN Correspondents who monitored the situation on Thursday learnt that most banks, markets, motor parks, other private and public offices have opened for business.
Commercial vehicles and motorcyclists were also seen busy conveying passengers, criss-crossing the two cities.
NAN also observed the security agencies including the military were not complacent as they were busy patrolling the streets, with so many fixed patrol posts.
A cross section of the residents told NAN that they were highly elated with the relaxation of the curfew by the state government.
“It was never easy to survive with the 24-hour curfew. Majority of us struggle with what to feed our families on daily basis.
“We are happy that it has been relaxed, then our daily hustles and bustles continue,” Salisu Aminu, said.
For Mrs Ada Joseph, a trader at the Abubakar Sheikh Gumi market, said, “It was really hell these past days.
”We are however hopeful that with the relaxation of the curfew, things will gradually return to normal.”
In Zaria, the residents corroborated the submissions by the residents of Kaduna, expressing joy with the happy development.
NAN also observed that the relaxation of the curfew has reignited business activities in the metropolis.
“The popular Sabon Gari market has been reopened, with an unusual rush by the customers,” said Malam Mohammed Nura, a cosmetics and perfume dealer in the market.
Commercial activities have also resumed at the ever-busy PZ and Kofar Doka areas.
A NAN Correspondent in the city further observed the return of commercial activities by the commercial tricycle riders along major routes in the city.
NAN also observed the presence of security personnel at strategic locations, with the atmosphere in the area being calm and peaceful. (NAN)
