Plateau Killings:Gov.Lalong set to partially lift curfew

By Edward Etuka

Following the recent killings that engulfed Jos ,Bassa LGA of Plateau State, which made the state government to imposed curfew in the affected areas.

EAGLE EYE WATCH reports that there are plans by the Plateau State government under the leadership of Gov.Simon Lalong to review the situation in the crisis torn state as the curfew enters the fourth day forcing inhabitants to groan under severe hardship.

Our findings revealed that the curfew would have been partially lifted on Tuesday but for isolated killings in some parts of the city and the threats of revenge coming from some Islamic Clerics in the state which has further heighten tension.EAGLE EYE WATCH gathered that security chiefs had to advised the state governor not to lift the curfew in order to calm  the tension and beef up security persons in the flash points.

Meanwhile our reporters were on ground to monitor the situation in most parts of the city, like: Rukuba road,Gadabiu,Zaria road,Faringada and other areas as there was total compliance with virtually all the filling stations shut down but for the Pengana Fuel Station at Zaria road adjacent ECWA Theological Seminary all others were locked as at press time.

At the Faringada axis there was increase security presence when our crew moved to the area as unconfirmed report has it that a person was killed there on Monday.

Reacting to this development, Plateau residents are calling on the state government to review the curfew in order to allow people to purchase food stuffs and possible go back to their businesses with continued security presence to apprehend trouble makers in the state.

For Mr.Boniface Okafor, he pleaded to the governor to review the curfew and make sure the culprits of killers of innocent villagers in Bassa,Riyom and Barkin Ladi LGA including the 22 travellers are arrested and prosecuted to serve as an example to others.

“I am pleading with the governor Barr.Simon Lalong to review the curfew at least from 8am to 3pm and observed it while also making sure the perpetrators of all the killings in the state are brought to book including the 22 travelers that were killed”.

Meanwhile the Umbrella Muslim body the Jama”Atu Nasril Islam, Plateau State Chapter has disassociated itself from a purported protest march planned to hold in Jos.

According to the release,it said: It has come to the attention of JNI Plateau State under the leadership of His Royal Highness, the Emir of Wase, Dr Muhammad Sambo Abdullahi, that some faceless individuals are announcing a purported “protest match” with the Jos Central Mosque as the take off point.

The message which has gone virile in social media, notably the WhatsApp is not true. JNI as the custodian of the Jos Central Mosque has not given permission to any individual or groups to carry out any form of activities within it’s premises. JNI is firmly committed to ensuring that lasting peace is restored to Jos and environs and it is therefore calling on all citizens to observe the various curfews imposed by government on Jos North, Jos South and Bassa local government areas. All should please disregard that message in circulation as nothing but a handiwork of mischief makers and crisis merchants.

Recall that last Saturday about 22 travelers were killed by suspected hoodlums at the Rukuba road in Jos which sparked violence in the state and national outcry that made the Plateau State government to imposed  a 24 hours curfew in Jos North LGA and a 6am to 6pm curfew in Jos South and Bassa LGA respectively.