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Rumours that the Hausa community in Jos, Plateau State, were planning a reprisal against Nigerians of South-eastern origin led to serious tension in the city and nearly crippled commercial activities throughout Thursday.
Refusing to take any chances, the situation compelled Simon Lalong, the state governor, to impose an indefinite dusk to dawn curfew on the Jos/Bukuru metropolis.
Shops owned by Igbos in the city centre were kept locked in the morning hours Thursday for fear that they might be attacked and looted by hoodlums.
The tension however gave way in the afternoon, as the shop owners who were hanging around later opened to customers.
But at about 5 p.m., the city was thrown into utter confusion, as traders at Terminus market scampered for safety. It was later gathered that there was a little fracas between some Hausa youths and their Igbo counterparts, which was quickly nipped in the bud before it could escalate.
A statement by the governor’s Director of Press and Public Affairs, Mr. Emmanuel Samuel Nanle, said: “The governor of Plateau State has expressed great dismay and shock at the sudden build up of tension in Jos metropolis on account of the conduct of some disgruntled elements, who have decided to throw the metropolis into confusion on account of their negative reaction to the agitation by the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) in the South-east.
“Consequently, the governor has directed an immediate imposition of a curfew from dusk to dawn (6 p.m.–6 a.m,) within the Greater Jos–Bukuru metropolis until further notice.
“The deployment of security personnel to all flash points within the metropolis has also been directed to ensure compliance with the curfew order and to avert any further breach of law and order.”
The governor assured the citizens that the security and welfare, as the primary concern of government, was assured. He enjoined all citizens to go about their business with the assurance that their safety was guaranteed.
Refusing to take any chances, the situation compelled Simon Lalong, the state governor, to impose an indefinite dusk to dawn curfew on the Jos/Bukuru metropolis.
Shops owned by Igbos in the city centre were kept locked in the morning hours Thursday for fear that they might be attacked and looted by hoodlums.
The tension however gave way in the afternoon, as the shop owners who were hanging around later opened to customers.
But at about 5 p.m., the city was thrown into utter confusion, as traders at Terminus market scampered for safety. It was later gathered that there was a little fracas between some Hausa youths and their Igbo counterparts, which was quickly nipped in the bud before it could escalate.
A statement by the governor’s Director of Press and Public Affairs, Mr. Emmanuel Samuel Nanle, said: “The governor of Plateau State has expressed great dismay and shock at the sudden build up of tension in Jos metropolis on account of the conduct of some disgruntled elements, who have decided to throw the metropolis into confusion on account of their negative reaction to the agitation by the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) in the South-east.
“Consequently, the governor has directed an immediate imposition of a curfew from dusk to dawn (6 p.m.–6 a.m,) within the Greater Jos–Bukuru metropolis until further notice.
“The deployment of security personnel to all flash points within the metropolis has also been directed to ensure compliance with the curfew order and to avert any further breach of law and order.”
The governor assured the citizens that the security and welfare, as the primary concern of government, was assured. He enjoined all citizens to go about their business with the assurance that their safety was guaranteed.
