Military authorities institute nighttime vehicle restrictions and daytime house searches in Tigray’s capital to curb crime
By Staff Writer
(Nairobi, Kenya) — The Ethiopian Defense Forces have imposed nighttime vehicle restrictions and heightened security protocols in Mekelle, the capital of the Tigray region, citing public safety concerns and crime prevention.
Effective Friday, the directive bans all vehicular transit—including commercial heavy trucks, private automobiles, and motorcycles—within city limits from 8:00 PM (2:00 local time) to 6:00 AM (12:00 local time). Military commanders also prohibited vehicles with unauthorized window decals and stickers. In addition, authorized security personnel will conduct house-to-house inspections during daylight hours between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM.
These measures follow mid-September military operations in which federal forces re-established control over major urban centers in Tigray. The federal government subsequently declared an end to active engagements in those sectors and established a six-month interim administration to restore local governance, oversee demobilization, and restructure regional security frameworks.
Military officials stated the curfew aims to curb rising urban crime, organized robbery, and abductions following the unauthorized release of detainees during prior troop movements. Authorities gave residents holding unregistered firearms three days to surrender their weapons to the Tigray Region Police Commission or face legal prosecution.
TPLF spokesperson Michael Asgedom rejected the claims regarding detainee releases in comments to external media, characterizing the state’s assertions as a pretext for security measures. Meanwhile, federal defense authorities urged Mekelle residents to report suspicious activities to designated police hotlines and army security centers, emphasizing that all search procedures will follow statutory requirements.
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