Benue: 24-hr curfew in Ukum in wake of protest over killings
From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
The Benue State government has placed a 24-hour curfew in Ukum Local Government Area LGA of the state after a youth protest over killings in the area degenerated.
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 pain after bandits attacked and killed 11 people on Tuesday.
The youths also took their protest to the Ukum LG Secretariat where they were said to have gone haywire, smashing windows, breaking doors and everything in sight.
It was also gathered that the secretariat was torched.
Worried by the development, Governor Hyacinth Alia, who briefed newsmen in Makurdi on Wednesday, declared a 24-hour curfew to curtail the situation.
The Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Barr. Sam Ode, said his decision followed the grave security situation in the region that has led to the wanton destruction of property leading to instability of 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.
