Christopher Maikalangu, the chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) has called on residents of Gwarinpa to be calm and law-abiding.

He made the appeal on Monday in a statement by his media aide Kingsley Madaki.

The chairman said security agencies were looking into the cause of the clash that occurred on Saturday between two youth groups in the area.

Mr Maikalangu warned that anyone found perpetrating any act of violence would be dealt with. The chairman called on traditional and religious leaders to also intervene and ensure full restoration of peace in the area.

“The government condemns, in strong terms, this unfortunate situation and commiserates with the affected citizens and their families, including others that lost their property and valuables,” said the statement. “The government, therefore, wishes to categorically warn citizens against mob action. No one will be allowed to conduct themselves in an arbitrary manner. Impunity has no place in this council.”

It added that there “are designated agencies vested with the duty of law enforcement, and citizens cannot usurp their roles.”

The statement explained that “it is the duty of all citizens to report infractions of the law and help to prevent or detect crime. There can be no recourse to self-help,” stressing that only constituted authorities and security agencies have the statutory right and constitutional mandate to enforce the law on residents. 

(NAN)