Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau, alarmed by the rapid spread of violence killing dozens of people, has held a closed-door meeting with security heads and religious leaders.

The meeting followed the attack on commuters along Rukuba Road in Jos North local government area, leaving 23 persons killed and 23 injured.

The co-chairmen of the Plateau Inter-Religous Council, Pandang Yamsat, and the Emir of Wase, Muhammadu Haruna, met with the governor behind closed doors to discuss the security situation. The meeting, the statement disclosed, was to assist in calming the situation, saying the council will be carrying out its engagements to douse the tension further.

The Commissioner of Police in Plateau, Edward Egbuka, said those behind the attack on commuters in Jos on Saturday were hoodlums who wanted to take advantage of the security crisis in the state “to loot.”

The commissioner stated this at a briefing by the head of security agencies in the state to Governor Simon Lalong, according to a statement issued in Jos by the governor’s spokesperson, Makut Macham.

“These are miscreants and hoodlums who wanted to take advantage of the situation to cause trouble and loot. This was not the first time it has happened. We do not want to name anybody,” Mr Egbuka said.

According to him, 36 persons have been rescued unhurt from the attack and are in good condition, adding that investigations are ongoing to arrest the attackers.

He advised the residents to abide by the 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. curfew imposed on Jos South and Bassa local government areas and the 24-hour curfew imposed on Jos North local government area.

The commissioner added that the 24-hour curfew on Jos North had curtailed the spread of violence in the metropolis where seven persons were killed.

The security heads present at the closed-door meeting with the governor included the commander, Operation Safe Haven, the police commissioner, air force commander, and director of State Security Service.

(NAN)