Plateau gov warns against acts of lawlessness, says nobody is above the law

Simon Lalong, Plateau state governor, has warned residents in the state to desist from acts of lawlessness that would bring about public disorder.

Fears of a possible clash between Hausa and Igbo communities in Jos, the state capital, had forced the governor to declare a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the city.

The unrest was caused by the reported death of two persons in Jos, a ripple effect of the clashes between security operatives and members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Abia state.

Speaking at a stakeholders forum in Jos on Friday, the governor assured residents that maximum security measures have been put in place to protect their lives and property.

He warned that the state government would not tolerate any act of lawlessness and that “tougher measures” would be taken if the people refused to cooperate.

“There is no reason for anybody to declare a nation in the country and there is no reason for any group to give quit notice to any group,” he said.

“What happened yesterday is quite unfortunate and we must find quick solution to it. Nobody has any right to chase anybody out of Plateau.

“Be very sincere in taking control of your people and assist us in finding the perpetrators who will not go scot free as nobody is above the law.

“If you have a hint of security breach in your area, please alert government because we need information from you. Don’t allow anybody to take laws into his or her hands.”

Meanwhile, the state police command in Plateau has insisted that there is no crisis in the state.

In an interview with NAN, Terna Tyopev, the police spokesman, said the situation is a “minor confusion caused by enemies of peace”.

He also warned residents of the state to desist from making inciting comments capable of threatening the existing peace in the area.

Tyopev said: “What happened yesterday in some parts of Jos city was not crisis but skirmishes arising from inciting comments from some members of the public.

“Thank God we were able to deploy our officers and men to the affected areas, and normalcy has been restored.

“However, we must warn citizens of the state against inflammatory statements; people must stop making comments that can be inciting.”