…Gov. imposes 24-hour curfew
At least three people are feared dead and 27 arrested as hoodlums stormed the streets of Yola, the Adamawa State capital, on Sunday, looting government facilities and attacking residents.
The hoodlums targeted the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), broke into government facilities and carted away foodstuff and items.
The mayhem began in the early hours of Sunday and lasted until around 2 p.m., forcing the state Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri to impose a 24-hour curfew on the state with immediate effect.
The governor in the declaration issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Humwashi Wonosikou said the curfew followed wide-scale looting and attacks on citizens by the hoodlums.
READ ALSO: http://Ex-Ogun LG political functionaries berate Gov. Abiodun over ‘flagrant disobedience to Court orders’
According to him, the situation has assumed a dangerous dimension as hoodlums in Yola attack people with machetes, broke into business premises and homes, carting away property.
“With the curfew imposed, there will be no movement throughout the state.
“Only those on essential duties with valid identification would be permitted to move around during the period of the curfew,” he added.
Fintiri appealed to law-abiding residents to comply with the directive, warning that anyone caught contravening the order would be arrested and prosecuted.
Speaking to newsmen in Yola, the Adamawa State Police Public Relations Officer, Suleiman Nguroje, said, “This morning, we woke up to the news that some band of youths have broken into NEMA storage facility and are attempting to break into several other facilities including Customs office, government silos at Numan Road, among others.
“But we were able to foil the attacks and prevented them from carrying out their activities.
“Right we have apprehended about 27 persons in connection to the mayhem and have handed over to the Criminal Investigation department (CID) of the force.
READ ALSO: http://’Let The Masses Breathe’ comment: Senate carpets Pat Utomi over assault on Akpabio
“After consultation with the state government a curfew has been imposed in the state and we advise the general public to abide by it until the situation is brought under control.
Also, Mr Ladan Ayuba, Head of Operations National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) told newsmen that the armed hoodlums looted bags of rice, maize, and beans, as well as generators, wrappers, mattresses and plastic buckets among others from the NEMA facility.
He said that the hoodlums also vandalised and looted facilities at the NEMA office that was recently reconstructed and furnished.
A source also confirmed that the hoodlums attempted to break into a Silo but were not successful and later moved to attack other government storage facilities.
At least three of the hoodlums were believed to have died while several others were arrested.