Lalong Reimposes 24-Hour Curfew on Jos as Tension Rises over Killings

Seriki Adinoyi

Plateau State Government has re-imposed the 24-hour curfew earlier relaxed in Jos following growing tensions arising from the attack on Yelwa Zangam community where over 36 persons were killed and properties destroyed.

The people of the community had conveyed the remains of those killed to the Government House wailing and chanting sorrow songs asking the Governor to “eat” the flesh of the people killed in the attack.

Efforts by security personnel to deny them access into Government House failed. This created serious tension in the entire city as people scampered to safety for fear that the situation may degenerate into serious mayhem.

To prevent escalation, Governor Simon Lalong immediately imposed 24 hour curfew starting from 4pm on Wednesday (today) until further notice.

In a statement signed by his Director of Press, Lalong said that the proactive decision became necessary following imminent threat to lives and properties within Jos North Local Government Area and the need to forestall breakdown of law and order. He said that it will also enable security agencies deployed to maintain security as the search for the attackers of the villagers continues.

Appealing to citizens, the governor urged them to cooperate with the government by “abiding to the 24-hour curfew commencing 4pm, 25th August 2021, as security agencies have been mandated to ensure that those who violate the curfew are arrested.

“Also, the 6pm to 6am curfew in Jos South and Bassa LGAs still remains in place until further notice. Only people on essential duties such as health personnel, journalists, fire service and para-military and others, are to be exempted from the curfew but should carry means of identification with them at all times.”

The governor called for calm, saying he is seriously grieved by the attacks, but urged them to show restraint and allow government to handle the matter to disallow hoodlums from taking advantage of the unfortunate situation to cause mayhem and destruction in the state.