Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has accused external criminals of infiltrating peaceful protests in Jos, necessitating the imposition of a curfew. In a statewide broadcast on Tuesday, Governor Mutfwang explained that the curfew on Jos and Buruku metropolis was a measure to prevent further destruction and looting.
Governor Mutfwang emphasized that while protesting is a constitutional right, the #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria demonstrations have been compromised by criminal elements. He appealed for dialogue, warning that continued protests might be further hijacked, leading to more hardship for law-abiding citizens.
“The more we continue with the protest, the more likely it is to be hijacked by sponsored criminals and hoodlums, as observed since Sunday evening,” Mutfwang said. “We saw displays of foreign flags by these intruders, confirming our intelligence. As a responsible government, we imposed a 24-hour curfew from Sunday midnight to prevent further acts of criminality.”
He cited resistance by hoodlums in parts of Jos North as evidence of the curfew’s necessity, noting that peace in Plateau is targeted by external violent elements. Governor Mutfwang called for a pause in protests to enable dialogue with leaders, ensuring the safety and stability of the state.