GOVERNOR MUTFWANG DECLARES 24 HOUR CURFEW IN MANGU COUNCIL AREA

GOVERNOR MUTFWANG DECLARES 24 HOUR CURFEW IN MANGU COUNCIL AREA

By: Bodunrin Kayode

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang has declared a 24 hour curfew on Mangu council Area of the state.

This followed the deteriorating security situation in the area in which some people had to raize down churches sending residents scampering around for their lives.

Governor Mutfwang took the decision after consultations with the relevant security agencies on how to keep the peace in the area.

A statement signed by the Governor’s spokesman Gyang Bere today stated that only persons on essential duties are allowed to move within the council area until further notice.

The statement directed all citizens, especially residents of Mangu council area, to comply with the directive and assist the security personnel by providing reliable information to restore peace and order in the area.

The Governor regretted that some people are still determined to create an atmosphere of insecurity in the state, despite the government’s efforts to end the activities of terrorist elements.

He expressed his sympathy to the families of the victims and the injured, and assured them that the government will not relent in ensuring lasting peace in the state.

Mutfwang assured that the curfew will be reviewed as soon as the security situation improves in the embattled Council area.

Trouble started when suspected armed bandits embarked on burning of church buildings while attacking Christians in Mangu area of the state.

The bandits are believed to have come from the surrounding bushes brandishing dangerous weapons and causing pandemonium in the capital of Mangu even as residents scampered to safety.

As at the time of writing this report COCIN Church near Sabon Kasuwa was alleged to be on fire and the assailants were seen looking for more churches to pull down in the town.

This reporter learnt that some of these assailants have already settled in nearby communities owned by residents they dislodged during past raids which explains the cause for the clash.

Some residents were said to have tried to reclaim their ancestral homes already taken over by the bandits.

When contacted a security source in Mangu however said, he could not confirm the burning of any Church or mosque in the violence in Mangu.

Another source within the STF however said he could not ascertain the immediate cause of the uprising in Mangu.

He regretted That despite the 24 hours Curfew imposed on Mangu, there were heavy gunshots heard around the town as youths are not ready to be calm even under the Curfew

He revealed that smoke was however seen billowing into the sky as a result of the burning of houses in some neighborhoods as at late Tuesday evening.

GOVERNOR MUTFWANG DECLARES 24 HOUR CURFEW IN MANGU COUNCIL AREA