The Benue State Government on Wednesday imposed a 24-hour curfew in Ukum Local Government Area (LGA), following serious security breaches in the area.
Gov. Hyacinth Alia announced the measure at a news briefing in Makurdi shortly after the State Security Council meeting.
Alia, represented by Dep. Gov. Sam Ode said the curfew became imperative, “following the wanton destruction of government’s property and threats to lives in the area”.
He said the government was surprised by the grave security situation in the area, “which has led to the breakdown of law and order and wanton destruction of government property and threat to lives”.
He said that the curfew was to ensure the safety and protection of lives and property of the residents.
The governor, therefore, charged all the stakeholders and security agencies to take note of the measure and ensure strict compliance.
According to him, the curfew would take effect in and around Ukum for 24 hours, from 3 pm today (Wednesday) to 3 pm on Thursday, July 4.
Thereafter, it will be from 6 pm to 6 am, beginning from Thursday, July 4, until further notice.
“This is the announcement from the Benue State Government’s seat of power,” the governor said.
A large number of youths on Wednesday took over Ayati -Sai Road in Ukum LGA and barricaded it to protest the alleged incessant killings in the area.
The youths also invaded the council Secretariat in Zaki Biam and destroyed things to express their displeasure over what they described as the “government’s insensitivity” toward the alleged killings in the area.
The Police Command in the state said that all the tactical teams within the area had arrived to beef up security in the area
