Kano, Nigeria - Nigerian authorities on Monday slapped a 15-hour daily curfew on a north-eastern city where unrest blamed on Islamist extremists has killed 31 people in recent days.
Yobe State Governor Ibrahim Gaidam “has approved the imposition of restriction of movement in Potiskum town beginning from today... 4pm to 7am daily,” a statement said.
The troubled city of Potiskum had been under security lockdown since Thursday, with troops patrolling the streets and residents keeping indoors for fear of new attacks.
Security was relaxed on Sunday morning and hundreds of residents took advantage to flee the restive city.
A wave of attacks blamed on Islamist extremist group Boko Haram as well as gun battles have left at least 31 people dead and several buildings destroyed.
Potiskum, the commercial hub of Yobe state, has previously been hard hit by attacks by Boko Haram.
Violence linked to Boko Haram's insurgency in northern and central Nigeria, including killings by the security forces, is believed to have killed more than 2 800 people since 2009. - Sapa-AFP