Gombe State Government has imposed a 24-hour curfew on seven communities in Balanga local government area of the state following renewed violence between Lunguda and Waja ethnic groups earlier on Tuesday.
Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibrahim Njodi, made the declaration in a statement signed by the Director-General, Press Affairs, Government House, Ismaila Uba-Misilli, on Tuesday.
The statement listed the affected communities to include Nyuwar; Jessu, Heme, Yolde Gelentuku, Sikam, Wala-Lunguda and its environs.
It said the curfew is with immediate effect.
“The curfew became necessary to restore peace and order in the affected areas,” the statement said.
“Security personnel have been deployed to restore normalcy while the curfew will subsist until further notice,” Njodi was quoted as saying in the statement.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Ishola Babaita, said adequate policemen and other security agents had moved into the affected communities.
“We have not left the place before, but now we have reinforced more men there now” he said.
“So far so good, it is still fragile but we are monitoring the situation,” and warned the people against taking the law into their hands.
“No grievances should warrant picking up arms against anyone.”
