Operation Safe Haven Confirms Night Attack On Yelwan  Zangwam  Community In Jos North LGA

Yakubu Busari

Operation Safe Haven has confirmed the night attack in Jos North.

Major Ishaku Gaji Takwa the STF Military Information Officer made this known to journalists in a press statement in Jos.

He said the Yelwan  Zangwam Community of  Jos North local government Area of Plateau state yesterday, 24 August 2021 came under attack by suspected gunmen.

 

The attackers came in the night and started burning from house to house shooting unsuspecting members of the community.

 

The gunmen also destroyed houses and the bridge linking the town to the community, making access to the area difficult for security agencies.

 

Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN mobilized to save the community were slowed down by the destruction of the bridge by the marauders.

Troops eventually got to the scene of the attack by navigating through other villages and met some houses already burnt and casualties recorded.

He said Troops are in pursuit of the killers in the direction they fled.

The Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN Maj Gen IS Ali is already at the scene to assess the situation.

Meanwhile, Plateau State Government has reinstated the 24-hour curfew earlier relaxed in Jos North Local Government Area following growing tensions arising from the attack on Yelwa Zangam village of the Local Government where people were killed and properties destroyed.

 

According to Governor Simon Lalong, the 24 hours will come into force from 4 pm, today Wednesday 25th August 2021 until further notice.

 

 

The proactive decision became necessary following imminent threat to lives and properties within the Local Government Area and the need to forestall the breakdown of law and order. It will also enable security agencies to deploy appropriately to maintain security as they search for the attackers of the villagers continues.

 

 

The Governor has appealed to the citizens of Jos North to cooperate with the Government by abiding to the 24-hour curfew commencing 4 pm, 25th August 2021, as security agencies have been mandated to ensure that those who violate the curfew are arrested.

 

 

Also, the 6 pm to 6 am curfew in Jos South and Bassa LGAs still remains in place until further notice. Only people on essential duties such as health personnel, journalists, fire service and para-military and others, are to be exempted from the curfew but should carry means of identification with them at all times.

 

 

The Governor is calling for calm as he is seriously grieved by the attacks. He again sympathizes with the victims but wants them to show restraint and allow Government to handle the matter to disallow hoodlums from taking advantage of the unfortunate situation to cause mayhem and destruction in the State.