BEVERLY HILLS, October 20, (THEWILL) – Plateau state governor, Simon Bako Lalong has imposed a 24-hour curfew in the State
The governor said the curfew follows events on Tuesday when hoodlums destroyed “properties, cars and looting of business premises along the Ahmadu Bello way as well as the burning of a place of worship along Gyero Road in Bukuru. In addition, three deaths have been recorded.”
In a statement on Tuesday, Governor Lalong said “I have directed the imposition of a 24-hour curfew in Jos South and Jos North Local Government Areas with effect from 8:00 pm today Tuesday, October 20, 2020 till further notice. By this directive, all forms of protests are hereby banned in the two Local Governments Areas of Jos North and Jos South.
“Furthermore, all public and private businesses are to shut down activities immediately while parents are strongly advised to rein in their children, youth and wards to forestall further breakdown of law and order. Only those on essential services will be allowed to move around to their duty posts.
He directed Security agencies to ensure that the curfew is “enforced while defaulters are arrested and prosecuted.”
According to Lalong, the State “cannot afford to slide back to the days of crisis which we have substantially put behind us thanks to the collective efforts of all citizens, security agencies and relevant stakeholders. It is rather unfortunate that in the past few days, the #ENDSARS protests which began as peacefully have gradually degenerated to the situation where hoodlums have attacked and molested innocent citizens who are going about their normal businesses.”
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The statement further said the “State concedes to the constitutional rights of its citizens to undertake legitimate protests, it cannot sit and watch hoodlums take the law into their hands to cause mayhem on innocent citizens and the entire State.”
The governor calls on the protesters to pursue the path of constructive engagement and dialogue.
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