Gyang Bere, Jos
Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong has imposed a 24 hours curfew in Jos South and Jos North Local Government Areas of Plateau State to stop loss of lives, burning of vehicles, places of worship and looting of business center centres by hoodlums who hijacked the ENDSERS protest in Jos.
Lalong, who addressed Plateau people on the ENDSERS protests and breakdown of law and order in Jos North and Jos South Local Government Areas regretted how the peaceful protests turned into violence.
” I have directed the imposition of a 24-hour curfew in Jos South and Jos North Local Government Areas with effect from 8:00 pm today Tuesday, October 20, 2020 till further notice. By this directive, all forms of protests are hereby banned in the two Local Governments Areas of Jos North and Jos South.”
He said it is unfortunate that the ENDSARS protests that have being going on in the few days in the state has degenerated into violence when hoodlums took advantage of it to unleash terror on innocent citizens.
“Government has watched closely these protests which are normal in a democracy that guarantees the rights of citizens to ventilate their grievances over any matter.
“It is rather unfortunate that in the past few days, the #ENDSARS protests which began as peacefully have gradually degenerated to the situation where hoodlums have attacked and molested innocent citizens who are going about their normal businesses.
“This development took a new turn on Tuesday 20th October 2020 when the protests led to the destruction of properties, cars and looting of business premises along the Ahmadu Bello way as well as the burning of a place of worship along Gyero Road in Bukuru. In addition, three deaths have been recorded.
” I summoned an emergency Security Council Meeting to evaluate the situation and take decisive actions to stop further escalation. Having received briefing from security agencies and after a careful assessment of the situation, Government is left with no choice than to impose a curfew to stop further loss of lives and properties.”
He directed security agencies to ensure that the curfew is enforced as defaulters will be arrested and prosecuted.
Lalong said all public and private businesses are to shutdown activities immediately while parents are strongly advised to rein in their children, youth and wards to forestall further breakdown of law and order.
He said only those on essential services will be allowed to move around to their duty posts.
Meanwhile, CAN Chairman, Plateau State, Rev. Fr. Polycap Lubo condemned in totality the eruption of violence in some parts of Jos as hoodlums hijacked ENDSERS protests.
Lubo in a statement in Jos in Jos condemned the perpetrators of the inview of the gains the state has made in peace building and communal cohesion.
He expressed believe in the inalienable right of citizens to protest but said it is not good for anyone to use violence to counter the right of others.
Fr. Lubo acknowledged that while the issues raised by protesters are germaine, they should work with government to find long lasting solutions.
He pleaded with the ENDSARS Protesters to step back as the Federal and Plateau state Governments have taken steps and  begun the implementation of some of their demands.