- The rampaging irate youths also took their angst to the Ukum LG Secretariat where they were said to have smashed windows, broke down doors and destroyed everything in sight
The Benue State government has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Ukum Local Government Area LGA of the state.
The state government declared the curfew after the unrest, violence and destruction of public properties that characterized the protest by youth over the killings in the area.
The curfew takes effect from 3 pm on Wednesday, July 3, 2024.
Recall that youths from Borikyo in Ukum LGA, in the early hours of Wednesday, blocked the Sankara-Ayati-Sai road to express their grievances after bandits attacked and killed 11 people on Tuesday.
The rampaging irate youths also took their angst to the Ukum LG Secretariat where they were said to have smashed windows, broke down doors and destroyed everything in sight.
It was also gathered that the secretariat was razed.
Concerned by the troubling development, Governor Hyacinth Alia, declared a 24-hour curfew to bring things under control.
Briefing newsmen in Makurdi on Wednesday, the governor said the curfew became imperative owing to the grave security situation in the area.
The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Barr. Sam Ode, said the protest has led to the wanton destruction of property leading to instability of the area and the government needed to step in to restore order and protect lives and properties of people in the area.
The text read, “Fellow Benue citizens at home and in the diaspora, all stakeholders, all security agencies are to note that this morning being the 3/7/2024 the Government of Benue State was surprised with the grave security situation in Ukum LGA of the State which has lead to the breakdown of law and order leading to wanton destruction of Government property and threats to lives.
“Arising from this situation and the need to protect the lives and property of all Benue citizens especially those who are in the Ukum LGA and Sankera general area, the Governor of Benue State HE Governor Hyacinth Alia whom I have the honour to represent at this press briefing has directed that with effect from 3 pm today being 3/7/2024 there will be a curfew in and around Ukum for 24hrs.”
Alia directed that beginning July 3, 2024, a curfew be imposed on Ukum Local Government and environs beginning from 3 pm to 3 pm tomorrow 4th July 2024.
He said that the curfew shall be observed from 6 pm to 6 am beginning tomorrow 4th of July 2024 until further notice.
The governor called on residents to remain calm as security operatives have been deployed in their numbers to keep the peace in Ukum in particular and the Sankera region at large
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