The Plateau state Government has stated that Jos, the capital city of Plateau State is now calm and peaceful as there is no cause for alarm.

According to a statement signed by the Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State, Dr. Makut Simon Macham, the breach of peace reported around Gada Biyu, Jos North LGA has been put under control following swift response by security agencies. Gada Biyu is located within Jos metropolis.

 

"The security personnel responded to the incident where some youths reportedly obstructed traffic and set ablaze two trucks on the highway. 

 

"The intervention of the security personnel immediately brought the situation under control as the youths were dispersed and the road cleared, thereby restoring traffic flow," he said.

 

Reports on Tuesday evening confirmed the acts of arson. Several videos showing burning vehicles and the sounds of sporadic gunfire had surfaced online following the incident.

 

"With the return of normalcy around Gada Biyu and environs, the Government is urging citizens to avoid any act that could lead to the breakdown of law and order. 

 

"Meanwhile, security forces have continued their operations to dominate areas affected by recent attacks in Bassa and Riyom LGAs with a view to restoring normalcy and arresting perpetrators as directed by Governor Simon Lalong after an emergency Security Council Meeting," the statement concluded. 

 

The breakdown of law and order within the metropolis happened just hours after the state's security council met and the Governor gave marching orders to security agents to quell tensions following attacks over the weekend that saw dozens killed and scores of houses razed to the ground in different parts of the state.

 

Speaking shortly after the security council meeting on Tuesday, the state's Commissioner of Police CP Edward Egbuka had said, "The meeting basically reviewed the fallout of events within the last 48 hours where there were attacks specifically at Jebbu Miango.

 

 
"From our records as at Saturday night the 31st of July 2021, five people were killed while about 85 buildings were burnt. The next morning, the attacks still persisted. From intelligence, the attackers are militia brought from outside the State. The attacks continued in Tamburam, Riyom LGA where unfortunately twelve people were also killed and some houses destroyed and again at Maiyanga. We lost some security personnel at Maiyanga and Riyom".
 
Egbuka said although security agencies have deployed men on the ground coping with the situation, the Governor has directed them to do everything possible to bring the situation under control within the next 48 hours and arrest all the perpetrators.
 
"This is the sound of warning to the people involved in perpetrating these violent acts. The leaders will be arrested. There are records of leaders that are on bail temporarily, and some of them have been fingered in these present attacks. Nobody will be spared. Human life is sacrosanct and nobody can take it at will. There is a government in place and it will not accept lawlessness" the CP had said.