JUST IN: Plateau Governor Declares 24-Hour Curfew in Mangu Following Church Burnings, Religious Riot

In response to the recent burning of churches and escalating religious tensions, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has declared a 24-hour curfew in the Mangu Local Government Area, situated in the North-Central region of Nigeria.

The decision, revealed in a press statement issued on Tuesday by the governor’s spokesperson, Gyang Bere, was prompted by the prevailing security challenges in the area. Governor Mutfwang, after consulting with relevant security agencies, took this step to prevent a potential breakdown of law and order in the local government.

SK Blog previously highlighted a developing religious crisis in Mangu, where the Church of Christ In Nations (COCIN) was set ablaze. Reports suggest armed individuals are targeting church buildings and attacking those perceived as Christians in the region, with assailants suspected to be herdsmen emerging from surrounding bushes.

Governor Mutfwang expressed concern over persistent attempts to sow insecurity in the state despite government efforts to curb terrorist activities. He extended sympathy to the families of those affected, assuring them of the government’s commitment to establishing long-term stability in the state. The governor pledged to reevaluate the curfew once the local security situation improves.

Mangu has been a frequent target of attacks, with previous reports in May detailing the invasion of 32 communities by armed Fulani herdsmen, resulting in the displacement of residents and the establishment of nine Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camps.

The governor’s decisive curfew aims to restore calm and protect the residents of Mangu amid these troubling developments.