Many residents have been feared killed, buildings, including churches and mosques were burnt in Sabon Gari area of Mangu local government area of Plateau State, in another wave of insecurity that erupted in the state.
One Pansak Lazarus, who is a member of the affected community, told journalists that the number of casualties cannot be determined for now.
“I cannot give you the exact number of people killed but many were killed, more than 15 houses were burnt as well as several shops destroyed,” he stated
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Plateau State Police Command, DSP Alfred Alabo, who spoke to journalists, called for calm, saying their men were on top of the situation.
This prompted the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, to declare a 24-hour curfew in Mangu Local Government Area of the state with immediate effect.
The development was confirmed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the governor’s Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere.
He said the decision followed the deteriorating security situation in the area.
The statement read in part, “Governor Mutfwang took the decision after consultations with the relevant security agencies.
“He stated that only persons on essential duties are allowed to move within the local government area until further notice.
“He urged all citizens, especially residents of Mangu Local Government Area, to comply with the directive and assist the security personnel by providing reliable information to restore peace and order in the area.
“He lamented that some people are still determined to create an atmosphere of insecurity in the state, despite the government’s efforts to end the activities of terrorist elements.
“He expressed his sympathy to the families of the victims and the injured and assured them that the government would not relent in ensuring lasting peace in the state.
“He promised that the curfew would be reviewed as soon as the security situation improves.”
Recall that last month, about two hundred civilians were massacred in three LGAs in the State, an incident that sparked reactions and stoked tensions across Northern Nigeria.
