Residents of Jalingo, Taraba state capital have expressed concern on the curfew imposed in the town, following crisis that affected part of the metropolis weeks ago.
Some residents who spoke to our Correspondent lamented that, despite the fact that only Nukkai, ATC and Kasuwan Bera areas was affected by the crisis the curfew was imposed in the entire state capital.
According to them, now normalcy has returned in those areas but the government refused to lift the curfew, calling on the state government to lift the curfew.
One of the residents, Mallam Bello Usman said that the areas affected by the crisis is in Ardo Kola local government area, but the government imposed the curfew to all part of Jalingo metropolis.
He noted that, the security agents were very hard on residents of areas that were not affected by the crisis, alleging that residents of the affected areas in ATC, Nukai and Kasuwan Bera are moving freely without molestation by the security agents.
Another resident, Mr John Dauda was on the view that the state government should lift the curfew because peace has already returned to areas affected by the crisis.
“Why should the curfew continue for a period of three weeks when peace has finally returned to areas affected by the crisis for more than two weeks now”.
According to him, the government is supposed to concentrate it’s attention to Wukari local government area where people are being killed on daily basis due to the ongoing Tiv/Jukun crisis.
Mallam Ibrahim Haruna another resident, insisted that the curfew imposed despite Peace in Jalingo was a violation of people rights to freedom of movement, appealing to Governor Darius Ishaku to use his good office and review the situation and lift the curfew as peace has been restored in the metropolis.
He commended security agents for the good work of maintaining peace in the metropolis, and urged them to do same in all part of the state.
However, Madam Juliet Markus who returned from a journey during the curfew hours expressed dismay over lack of commercial tricycles (KEKE NAPEP) that used to conveyed travellers to their various destinations.
“It was a terrible experience, because many people that came back from various places were treiked to their homes, and some KEKE riders or private vehicles will tell you to pay#1000, #700 for a little distance”Juliet explained.
Taraba state government had in response to the crisis in ATC, Nukai and Kasuwan Bera areas imposed 4pm to 6am curfew on 17 June 2019 and later relaxed to 6am to 9pm, while KEKE NAPEP movement stopped at 8pm respectively.
When contacted through a phone call, Special Adviser to Governor Darius Ishaku on Media and Publicity Bala Dan Abu said, the curfew cannot be lifted untill the government is certain that the security situation has been brought completely under control.
“It cannot be lifted because there are still security concern, even today Wednesday 10th July there was an attack and killings around Kona area, in Ardo kola local government, so the situation is quite normalize yet”.
Mr. Bala Dan Abu called on people of the state to be patient and remained law abiding citizens as the state government is committed toward ensuring security of their lives and property.
The police public relation officer Taraba state police command, DSP David Misal did not answer calls by our Correspondent.
