Tension in Plateau: Soldiers open fire at youth, one dead as women protest (photos)

– Some youths have gone on rampage in Plateau state

– The young men are said to be protesting the murder of a first class king which occurred a few days ago in the state

– Curfew has been imposed

– Soldiers were said to have shot one of the youth

On Tuesday, July 20, some youth from Bokkos local government area of Plateau state blocked the roads and took to the streets as a reaction to the murder of a first class traditional monarch in the area.

Reports just coming in have it that Soldiers serving with the Special Task Force (STF) on Jos crisis on Thursday, July 21 opened fire on rampaging youth who blocked a road in Bokkos in protest of the killing of a monarch and a night attack there Wednesday.

At least one person was killed and five others injured, an eyewitness stated. Mangai Haruna said the youth refused to allow soldiers into the area, pressing them instead to provide the killers of their kinsmen.

“They shot on our people, one of them died instantly,” Haruna said.

The weekly Thursday market in the town could not open due to the crisis. A spokesperson for the STF could not be immediately reached.

Plateau State has enjoyed relative calm in recent times after years of ethno-religious conflict that claimed the lives of thousands. On Wednesday night, unknown assailants reportedly destroyed homes and attacked residents of the area.

In protest, youth barricaded roads leading to the area in the morning of Thursday, July 21and blocked the convoy of the police commissioner of Plateau state, Adekunle Oladunjoye. Mr. Oladunjoye was later allowed in.

In addition, the deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of operations Habila Joshak, is presently in Bokkos. Joshak was deployed from Abuja to ensure the arrest of the killers of the monarch.

At Bokkos council police station where the youth gathered that Joshak sued for peace, and assured that masterminds of the crime would be arrested and prosecuted. He also visited the palace of the late paramount ruler where he pleaded for calm.

The DIG said the police was deploying a chopper for an aerial patrol of the local government council for the next two weeks, with the aim of arresting those behind the attacks. He solicited the cooperation of residents to enable police fish out those behind the attacks.

Residents demanded the deployment of more mobile police officers to the local government to protect them.

READ ALSO: Sultan defends herdsmen over Plateau traditional ruler murder

The murdered first class king was Lazarus Agai, who is the Saf Ron Kurele. He was gruesomely murdered on Monday, July 18 when he visited his farm. In addition, his wife and security aide were also shot dead by the unknown assailants.

Accusing fingers have been pointed by indigenes in the area at the Fulanis who live with them. The indigenes stated that the traditional ruler was killed because he opposed the state government’s idea to create grazing reserves in Bokko local government area.

A curfew was imposed on Bokkos. It commenced on Tuesday, July 19. This led to a situation whereby some residents fled from the violent spot.

Residents stated that the restless youth initially obstructed all access roads into Bokkos LGA secretariat before the situation was brought under control in the evening of Tuesday, July 19, with the deployment of task force to the troubled spot.

The leader of the Fulani community in the local government council Yakubu Boro, stated that the restless youth burnt houses in five Fulani settlements. Boro alleged that about 300 Fulani herdsmen were displaced.

READ ALSO: Fulani herdsmen kill prominent traditional ruler

The head of the Fulani community said he was speaking from a hiding place, while he narrated the situation. He further said the youth also destroyed the council of the Miyatt Allah cattle breeders association in Bokkos, However, Premium Times could not ascertain the veracity of Boro’s narration.

Moreso, Plateau state government has cautioned the perpetrators of the violence to desist or face the full weight of the law.

“Be rest assured that Government is on top of the situation and is avowed on fishing out all enemies of the Peace that has returned to the State,” stated Emmanuel Nanle, director of press and public affairs to Governor Simon Dalung.

Nanle urged all citizens, especially residents of Bokkos local council, to remain calm and not get themselves involved in any act that was capable of creating more tension in the area.

The state chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria Nuru Muhammad, also sued for peace, saying that,“our homes have been burnt, we have told security agents that anyone found responsible for this atrocity whether Fulani or Challa even if he is my son, he should face the law.”

Plateau state commissioner of police Adekunle Oladunjoye, warned that anybody found disturbing public peace will be dealt with accordingly.

On Wednesday, July 20, Plateau state governor Simon Lalong issued a statement informing that he will bring the masterminds of the monarch’s death to book.

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