Plateau Massacre: Gov. Lalong, Security Heads, Religious Leaders Meet

Plateau Governor Simon Lalong has called a closed-door meeting with security heads and religious leaders, frightened by the quick spread of violence that has killed scores of people.

The conference was called in response to the attack on commuters on Rukuba Road in Jos North local government area, which left 23 people dead and another 23 injured.

Pandang Yamsat, co-chairman of the Plateau Inter-Religious Council, and Muhammadu Haruna, Emir of Wase, met behind closed doors with the governor to examine the security situation. The purpose of the meeting, according to the statement, was to help calm the situation, and the council will continue to work to reduce tensions.

The attack on commuters in Jos on Saturday, according to Plateau Commissioner of Police Edward Egbuka, was carried out by hoodlums who intended to take advantage of the state’s security issue “to loot.”

According to a statement made in Jos by the governor’s spokesperson, Makut Macham, the commissioner mentioned this during a briefing by the state’s security chiefs to Governor Simon Lalong.

“These are miscreants and hoodlums who wanted to take advantage of the situation to cause trouble and loot. This was not the first time it has happened. We do not want to name anybody,” Mr Egbuka said.

He claims that 36 people were evacuated from the attack unharmed and in good health, and that operations to apprehend the attackers are ongoing.

Residents in Jos South and Bassa local government areas are subject to a 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. curfew, while residents in Jos North are subject to a 24-hour curfew.

The commissioner went on to say that the 24-hour curfew imposed on Jos North had slowed the development of violence in the city, which had seen seven people dead.

The governor’s security team included the commander of Operation Safe Haven, the police commissioner, the air force commander, and the director of the State Security Service.

(NAN)