By Afolabi Samuel Odunayo
In order to quell the rising unrest and violence besetting Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, the Governor of the state, has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Zakibiam, the headquarters of Ukum Local Government Area.
In a press statement released on behalf of the State Government by Barr. Sam Ode, deputy governor of the State, the curfew was imposed on Wednesday in order to redeem the crisis which had led to killings and destruction of both private and government properties in the troubled area.
It would be recalled that as a result of violent demonstration by local youths, around 2pm on Wednesday, against killings in Ukum local government area of the state which left about six people dead, several properties have reportedly been destroyed. Some of the buildings razed down include those of a traditional ruler, Chief Myaga Unongo, and Paul Biam, the chief of staff to the state governor, among others.
The New Diplomat reports that earlier on, the protest which engulfed the state started with the expression of displeasure over a gruesome incident which led to the death of about 11 persons earlier on Tuesday night. There was an expected spill over to the following day.
In his response , Governor Alia imposed a curfew on the affected jurisdiction. He also issued a warning, while urging security personnel stationed in the area to maintain law and order in Ukum local government area and the Sankera area as a whole.
Part of the statement government’s statement reads: “The curfew would take effect in and around Ukum for 24 hours from 3pm today (Wednesday) to 3pm on Thursday, July 4.
“Thereafter, it will be from 6pm to 6am, beginning from Thursday, July 4, until further notice.”
