Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has declared a 24-hour curfew in Jos and Bukuru metropolis amid the ongoing nationwide protests against economic hardship. The curfew began at midnight on Sunday, as was conveyed by the governor’s director of press and public affairs, Gyang Bere.
“Governor Mutfwang, in consultation with state security agencies, took this decision after reviewing the actions of unscrupulous individuals who exploited the nationwide protest to unleash terror on innocent citizens.
“The governor noted that these criminal elements, armed with daggers, machetes, and other dangerous weapons, broke into shops and restaurants along Bauchi Road and Zololo Junction in Jos North Local Government Areas, looting foodstuffs and other valuable items,” Bere said in the statement.
Several other Nigerian states, including Kano, Yobe, Jigawa, Borno and Katsina, have imposed curfews in response to the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests. While these measures restrict citizens’ rights to assemble and express their grievances freely, they have not stifled the populace that continues to protest against hunger and hardship. Reports on Monday show that Jos protestors are gathering in their hundreds despite the curfew.