Plateau State Governor, CalebMutfwang, has declared a 24-hour curfew on the Mangu Local Government Area of the state with immediate effect.

The development was confirmed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the governor’s Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere.

He said the decision followed the deteriorating security situation in the area.

The statement read in the part, “Governor Mutfwang took the decision after consultations with the relevant security agencies.

“He stated that only persons on essential duties are allowed to move within the local government area until further notice.

“He urged all citizens, especially residents of Mangu Local Government Area, to comply with the directive and assist the security personnel by providing reliable information to restore peace and order in the area.

“He lamented that some people are still determined to create an atmosphere of insecurity in the state, despite the government’s efforts to end the activities of terrorist elements.

“He expressed his sympathy to the families of the victims and the injured and assured them that the government will not relent in ensuring lasting peace in the state.

“He promised that the curfew will be reviewed as soon as the security situation improves.”

In a related development, armed policemen, on Tuesday, teargassed the 16 Peoples Democratic Party members of the Plateau State House of Assembly who were sacked by the Court of Appeal.

The lawmakers had arrived at the Rayfield Old Government House in Jos on Tuesday morning alongside their supporters preparatory to their resumption of plenary when the incident happened.

The policemen and other security operatives took over the premises of the Government House and prevented the sacked lawmakers from going into the chambers of the House of Assembly but the lawmakers had vowed not to vacate the premises. (Pieced together from separate reports by The PUNCH)