Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has defended the imposition of a 24-hour curfew on Jos and Bukuru, stating that the measure was necessary to prevent the state from descending into chaos.
The curfew has drawn criticism from residents, with some accusing the governor of causing undue hardship by confining people to their homes. Notably, veteran journalist Jonathan Ishaku voiced his discontent on Facebook, arguing that the curfew disproportionately impacts the majority of residents who rely on daily income to survive.
“We must reject this notion that Jos is merely a civil service town,” Ishaku wrote. “Almost 99% of the residents hustle to eat and get by. With the economy at such a low point, a 24-hour lockdown is akin to a death sentence for the hungry, the sick, and the destitute.”
In a statewide broadcast on Tuesday, Mutfwang responded to these concerns by emphasizing the importance of maintaining order in the face of growing unrest. He noted that while most protesters in Plateau have been peaceful, recent incidents in the Jos North area—including looting and destruction—highlight the need for decisive action.
“The resistance by hoodlums in some parts of Jos North from Monday morning until late afternoon proves that our decision to impose the curfew was justified,” Mutfwang said. “Credible sources have revealed that because of the peace Plateau is enjoying, merchants of violence invited hoodlums from neighboring states to disrupt the peace in Jos.”
The governor expressed pride in the peaceful conduct of the majority of protesters, describing their behavior as a testament to the return of the “beautiful and peaceful Plateau.” He stressed that the state must remain vigilant against those who seek to undermine its progress.
Mutfwang also outlined the measures his administration has taken to mitigate the curfew’s impact, including investments in public transportation, agriculture, and education, as well as the distribution of over 200 trucks of fertilizer and other palliatives in partnership with the federal government.
“We are gradually seeing the effects of our efforts,” he said. “We have started empowering several Plateau State citizens with a token of N50,000 through the Plateau State Microfinance Development Agency (PLASMIDA), aimed at supporting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).”
The governor reaffirmed his commitment to alleviating poverty and ensuring that no one in Plateau State goes hungry or lacks access to education and healthcare.
“Our determination to change our story has never wavered,” Mutfwang stated. “We have invested in technology to address the distractions of insecurity, banditry, and insurgency, which have significantly strengthened our common and major enemy—poverty.”
