IPOB-Hausa Clash: Plateau Govt Relaxes Curfew In Jos

Governor of Plateau state, Simon Lalong, has relaxed the dusk-to-dawn curfew in Jos, the state capital.

Lalong had imposed the curfew to avoid a reprisal attack on Igbo residents, following the clash between suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and some people of northern extraction in Port Harcourt, Rivers state.

Two persons were said to have been killed in the fracas.

In a statement released on Sunday, Lalong’s spokesman, Samuel Nanle, quoted the governor as saying the relaxation of the curfew was due to improved security in the state.

The statement said the curfew would now be from 10pm to 6am and it would take effect from “the subsequent day (Monday) until further notice”.

“The executive governor wishes to appreciate the swift response of security personnel and the widespread community consultative meetings held by various community and religious leaders, which have come out with renewed commitments and resolves of all and sundry to be law abiding and peaceful,” it read.

“The governor wishes to assure our citizens of the state that security personnel will continue to patrol flash points within the greater Jos-Bukuru metropolis, and they will ensure that all security measures as are necessary to guarantee peace, security and compliance with the new curfew order are done, so as to avert any likely bridge of law and order.

“The governor is therefore enjoining all citizens to go about their lawful business with the assurance that their safety is guaranteed.

“He further pleads with all peace loving citizens to ensure that they cooperate with all security personnel and to report all acts by persons that are likely to constitute a breach to the hard earned peace of the state.”