The Ministry of the Interior has enforced a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Sawla-Tuna-Kalba township and the surrounding communities in the Savannah Region following escalating violence over a land dispute in Gbiniyiri.
The curfew, running from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am daily, took effect on Wednesday, August 27, and will remain until further notice.
The Interior Minister, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak in a statement, explained that the measure was taken based on advice from the National Security Council and enacted through an Executive Instrument.
Authorities have urged residents, traditional leaders, and youth to exercise restraint and resolve conflicts peacefully.
Under the curfew, strict restrictions have been imposed: carrying firearms, ammunition, or any offensive weapons is prohibited; riding in pairs or groups on motorbikes is banned; and wearing war regalia at any time is forbidden. Violators face arrest and prosecution.
The statement noted, “The Minister for the Interior, on the advice of the National Security Council and by Executive Instrument, has imposed Curfew on Sawla-Tuna-Kalba Township and its environs in the Savannah Region from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am, effective Wednesday, August 27, 2025, until further notice, following recent land dispute issues causing security threats in the area”
The recent unrest has resulted in at least 11 deaths and multiple injuries, as tensions escalated over disputed land claims.
Security forces are closely monitoring the situation, and the government has called on all stakeholders to cooperate in restoring peace and preventing further bloodshed.