State Governor Declares Curfew in Kaduna, Bauchi, Plateau after looting of bank, businesses

Kaduna, Bauchi and Plateau states were put under curfew blanket yesterday following mass looting during the economic crisis protests.

The protests in the North, a region that has been reeling under serious terrorism and bandit attacks, took a turn for the worse, forcing governors of the affected states to take tough measures.

The Plateau State government Caleb Mutfwang imposed a 24-hour curfew on Jos North Local Government on Sunday night to curb escalating violence.

The protest, led by General Overseer of Evangelical Outreach (EBOMI), Isa El-Buba, and National Coordinator of the Initiative for Better and Brighter Nigeria (IBBN)/ former Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, commenced on a peaceful note.

The state government had even commended them on the peaceful protest.

But, on Sunday, things went awry when a strange group of protesters appeared in some parts of Jos North while the first set was on break.

The latter group held up Russian flags and unleashed violence.

While the original group converged daily at Old Airport Roundabout in Jos, the new violent group moved from street to street, looting property.

They invaded Bauchi Road in Zololo, Dilimi, Sabon Layi, Filling Ball, Congo Russia, Angwan Rogo and environs.

Mutfwang said the curfew was with effect from Sunday midnight.

He said it was declared “in consultation with state security agencies after reviewing the actions of unscrupulous individuals who exploited the nationwide protest to unleash terror on innocent citizens”.

The governor noted that these criminal elements “armed with daggers, machetes, and other dangerous weapons, broke into shops and restaurants along Bauchi Road and Zololo Junction, looting foodstuffs and other valuable items”.

He warned those planning to unleash further terror on innocent citizens to desist immediately or face the full wrath of the law.

The group of violent protesters, mostly underaged fundamentalists, defied the curfew and continued with their looting yesterday.

Governor Mutfwang also convened a security council meeting yesterday, after which the Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Adesina, said 14 individuals were arrested for violating the curfew.