Tempers rose in Mangu town and other parts between natives and Fulani herdsmen, but Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State swiftly placed a 24-hour curfew on the Local Government Area with immediate effect.
It was gathered that after a native on his motorcycle hit the cow of a herdsman in town, tempers flared.
When people began to take sides, and it was escalating tension, the governor advisedly took the decision to impose a curfew,” a source told Everyday.ng.
He added: “You know the already tense situation with people itching for a fight after 238 lives were wasted in Mangu, Bokkos, and Barkin-Ladi (LGAs) by persons believed to be Fulani militia last Christmas Eve. So when this took place and to prevent a conflagration, the state government stepped in.”
A statement by Gyang Bere, Director of Press and Public Affairs, quoted the governor as saying that the action became necessary “in view of the deterioration of the security situation within the area”.
“We arrived at this decision after consultations with the relevant security agencies; only persons on essential duties are allowed to move within the local government area until further notice.
“It may appear as though some people are determined to create an atmosphere of insecurity in the state, despite the government’s efforts to end the activities of terrorist elements.
“I want to express my sympathy to the families of affected victims and the injured, and assure them that government will do everything possible to ensure that lasting peace returns to Plateau.
“The curfew will be reviewed as soon as the security situation improves,” Mr Mutfwang was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile another altercation, this time a political one played out at the State House of Assembly following the Speaker’s refusal to allow 16 sacked lawmakers into the premises of the Assembly.
The Assembly reconvened Tuesday, after a long recess, after the Court of Appeal sacked 16 members elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Eight members gained access to the temporary premises of the assembly, but the others were denied entry.
During the tussle, a police tear gas accidentally went off.
The tear gas went off as police personnel were trying to stop supporters of the sacked members from gaining access to where the lawmakers were billed to sit.
Speaking during a plenary, the Speaker of Assembly, Gabriel Dewan, said that he was in possession of a court injunction to recognise only eight members of the assembly.
Mr Dewan stated that the 16 sacked lawmakers, and the other 16 with certificates of return, were all laying claim to the seats.
“At present, there are 32 members laying claim to the seats.
“Since the 32 members had their certificates of return, and are laying claim to their mandates, it would be unlawful to admit them into the chambers.
“For now, only eight members will be sitting. I have a court injunction restraining the House from inaugurating the 16 APC members.
“Yes, they have their certificates of return issued to them by INEC, but they can’t be inaugurated until the final determination or vacation of the injunction,’’ he said.
● Additional reports by NAN