Nigeria: Governor Lalong Imposes 24 hours Curfew over Killings in Jos

Nigeria: Governor Lalong Imposes 24 hours Curfew over Killings in Jos

In what looks like a revenged attack by suspected Islamic hard liners following the recent attack along Rukuba road in Jos, the Plateau State capital, fresh attack on Christian’s community at Yelwa Zangam left 36 persons dead.

Yelwa Zangam Community is located around Manjagap behind the Student’s Village, University of Jos. 

Rufus Timothy, a student of University of Jos informed NEWSng that they heard gunshots and chanting “Allahu Akbar” in the early hours of Wednesday, and being alert and alarm by the crises surrounding the state they slipped away from the direction of the sound and move out of the community along with other students who are staying in the community and yet to be evacuated after the institution have suspended academic activities.

“We thought since we are paying rent outside the University, we could stay a while probably to until the school resume activities. So many students have left but sometimes it is not wise to leave immediately especially when you are coming from a lowly home. We are also looking at the burden on our parents.” Rufus said.

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According to him, this morning, the report they heard was that so many people were killed by the attackers and their corpses were being recovered and taken to be deposited at the Plateau Specialist Hospital, Jos.

Another eyes witness account said that the attackers had blocked the bridge leading to the community to prevent help from coming before the launched their attacks.

“There is tension in the state. And no one can tell what next is going to happen. Both Christians and Muslims are worried what the put come of this attack will bring. For now people are waiting to also see the step government is going to take because this is getting out of hand and if fight broke out Jos is doom.” He said

The situation has triggered protest in the city with women leading and has carried the corpses to the government House gate where they called for the arrests of Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi following his statement few weeks ago over the killing of some Muslims travelers along the Rukuba road.

The protesters also said that those Muslims travelers were not innocent people but attackers who were Commission to go to Miango and attacked bereaved people going to bury some women earlier killed.

According to them there was no road leading to Ondo state along Rukuba road and wondered why those travelers could not take the road that brought them from Ondo to Bauchi state but choose to take Rukuba road.

Following the protest, the Plateau State Government was forced to reinstated the 24-hour curfew earlier relaxed in Jos North Local Government Area as a result of growing tensions arising from the attack on Yelwa Zangam village of the Local Government where 38 Christians were killed in cold blood and properties destroyed.

The Attack in Yelwa Zangam has brought tension and fresh violence as Christian women protest the streets of Jos calling for government to do the needful or to prepare for more violence in the state.

A statement from Dr. Makut Simon Macham , Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State said the 24 hour will come into force from 4pm, today Wednesday 25th August 2021 until further notice. 

“The proactive decision became necessary following eminent threat to lives and properties within the Local Government Area and the need to forestall the breakdown of law and order. It will also enable security agencies deploy appropriately to maintain security as the search for the attackers of the villagers continues. 

“The Governor has appealed to the citizens of Jos North 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 is calling for calm as he is seriously grieved by the attacks. He again sympathises with the victims, but wants 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. “The statement said