Communal clash: Curfew imposed on Benue LG as tension heightens

The Chairman of Ado LGA, James Oche, announced the curfew at the weekend while urging security operatives to clamp down on offenders of the directive.

Oche based his action on the recent frenzied development among youths and the brewing tension in Agila district as well as its escalation to Apa ward in Ado Local Government Area.

An official of the LG council told Daily Trust on phone that the brewing crisis was not unconnected with the age-long royal and non-royal palaver bedeviling the people of Agila district in Ado.

The official said the stereotyping of certain people in the area allegedly belonging to the non-royal class by those who claimed to have royal status had in the past created bitter rivalry which led to lost of lives and property.

Meanwhile the council chairman in a statement indicated that the curfew was declared after consultation with the Ado Divisional Police Officer, Wards and Clan Heads, “to place a 6pm to 6am curfew in Agila District to take immediate effect from Saturday the 25th Day of September and to be in force till further notice.”

He said, “The premises of Akpa Ofu  Unazi and Jesus Cottage all of Apa Ward are sealed forthwith till further notice.

“That all gatherings of whatever sort or clustering for whatever purpose are hereby banned except with the permission of the Chairman first sought and obtained.

“That a 6pm to 6am curfew is hereby declared in the whole of Agila district.

“That the Police, the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards and other Enforcement Agencies are by this notice directed to enforce these directives decisively.

“That all immigrants to Apa Ward within the last two months should immediately turn themselves in to the office of the ward head within the next seven days to report their presence or risk being arrested and dealt with appropriately.

“That all those harbouring persons not hitherto known to the communities must account for them when need be and all those whose premises are used for illegal congregation shall be arrested/prosecuted in accordance with the relevant state laws on criminality and such houses shall be destroyed.

“That violators will be brought to book in the manner most consistent with legal prescriptions as applicable, as there would be house-to-house arrest of violators.

He added that all travelers and transporters should take note that vehicular/motorcycle movement after 6pm to 6am to and fro Apa and Akpoge Ogbilolo are banned and violators would be treated in like manner as other violators.