Curfew reinstated in central Nigeria as gunmen kill 36

By Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu

KANO, Nigeria – The governor in Nigeria’s central Plateau state on Wednesday reinstated a 24-hour curfew in a local government area, as 36 people were killed in a fresh gunmen attack.

The attack took place in Jos North, where several houses were also set ablaze, Ubah Ogaba, a police spokesman in the region, told Anadolu Agency.

The curfew was first declared in the region on Aug. 15 after Muslim worshippers were attacked.

In a statement, Makut Macham, the governor’s spokesman, said a 24-hour curfew will come into force from 4.00 p.m. local time (1500GMT) on Wednesday.

“Plateau State Government has reinstated the 24-hour curfew earlier relaxed in Jos North Local Government Area following growing tensions arising from the attack on Yelwa Zangam village of the Local Government where people were killed and properties destroyed,” the statement said.

The governor has appealed to the citizens to cooperate with the government by abiding by the curfew as security agencies have been mandated to ensure that those who violate the curfew are arrested.​​​​​​​

“Also, the 6 pm to 6 am curfew in Jos South and Bassa LGAs still remains in place until further notice. Only people on essential duties such as health personnel, journalists, fire service and paramilitary and others, are to be exempted from the curfew but should carry means of identification with them at all times,” according to the statement.