Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau State has imposed a dusk to dawn curfew in Jos North and Jos South local government areas of the state following the skirmish that led to the death of scores on Friday morning.
A statement issued and signed by the Acting Secretary to the State Government, Sir. Richard Tokma stated that, “sequel to the security breach in some parts of Jos north, Governor Simon Bako Lalong has approved the imposition of a dusk-to-dawn curfew from 6am to 6pm in Jos north and Jos south local government area of the state.”
Unidentified gunmen have allegedly killed family of nine in Rukuba road community of Jos North Local Government Area, a development that sparked up tension in the community and other parts of Jos metropolis.
A resident of the area, who prefers anonymity, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), that the gunmen attacked the community on Thursday night.
“Last night, some gunmen invaded this area shooting sporadically and in the cause wiped out nine members of a family. I cannot tentatively say what caused the ugly incident but I heard some gunshots and some persons were also injured,” he said.
DSP Terna Tyopev, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Plateau Police Command confirmed the incident to NAN.
The PPRO, who could not confirm the accurate number of deaths, said that lives were lost, while many others were severely injured, explained that the assailants took advantage of the night rains to perpetrate the “evil” act.
“Yesterday at about 10.p.m, our Plateau Control Room received a distress call that there were sporadic gunshots at Rukuba Road, a community opposite Kowa Hotel, Jos.
“We immediately mobilised our patrol team to the scene of crime. The gunmen, who took advantage of the night rains to attack residents, were later chased away from the area by the combined team of the Police and men Operation Safe Haven (STF), a military task force.
“Some people were rescued while some persons lost their lives as a result of the attack and others sustained injuries of various degrees,” he said.
Tyopev said that the injured were rushed to Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jos, where they were receiving treatment.
The PPRO said a combined team of security personnel had been dispatched to flash points to avert breakdown of law and order, and urged members of the public to remain calm and law abiding.
He said investigation to unravel those behind the crime has commenced.
The statement by the state government stated that while “ensuring the safety of lives and properties of the populace, citizens are advised to exercise restraint and remain calm and report any suspicious movements to the law enforcement agents.”
Daily Trust reports that the skirmish in some parts of Jos this morning followed the killing of five men and eight women late Thursday night around Rukuba road, near Jos by unknown gunmen.
The statement explained that the command had mobilized patrol teams to the scene of the incident adding that, “the unknown gunmen had taken advantage of the ongoing rain in the area to attack residents.”
He however said the attackers were forced to flee from the scene by the combined superior fire power of the police and Operation Safe Haven and that some people who reside close to the hills were rescued while some persons were killed as a result of the attack.
DSP Terna further said those who sustained gunshot wounds were rushed to the Bingham University Teaching Hospital and are currently receiving treatment.