Plateau killings: Lalong declares 24-hour curfew in Jos North

Simon Lalong, governor of Plateau state, has declared an all-day curfew in Jos North LGA of the state.

Lalong gave the order following the killing of 22 travellers along Rukuba road at the LGA on Saturday.

The attack, which targeted a convoy of buses conveying some worshippers returning to Ondo after attending an Islamic programme in Bauchi, also left 14 others injured.

In a statement by Makut Macham, his director of press, Lalong said he declared the curfew to forestall a breakdown of law and order.

The governor had on Saturday, announced that Jos North, Jos South and Bassa LGAs shall observe a curfew from 6 pm to 6 am.

He, has, however, extended that of Jos North to 24 hours.

“From 2p.m of today, Sunday 15th August 2021, a 24-hour curfew will come into effect in Jos North Local Government Area,” Lalong said.

“This is necessitated by security reports, which indicate rising threats to the safety of lives and properties within the Local Government.”

Lalong asked residents to comply with the directive so as to allow security agencies to carry out their duties.

He added that the curfew in Jos North would be operational until further notice.

Usman Baba, inspector-general of police (IGP), said 33 victims of the Saturday attack have been rescued and 20 suspects arrested.

He added that the police were working with the military, other security forces and the state government to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.