Pandemonium Breaks Out at Plateau Terminus as Violence Sparks Calls for Curfew
By Yakubu Busari
Chaos erupted at Terminus Market as traders hurriedly evacuated in different directions, prompting shop owners to shut their businesses amid growing tensions.
On Wednesday morning, the capital of Plateau State experienced renewed unrest fueled by misinformation claiming that several people had been killed by unknown gunmen earlier that day.
Reports indicated that a clash among miscreants near Dulla Junction escalated into widespread chaos.
Further rumors stated that unruly youths barricaded the suburbs of Angwan Rukuba in Jos North Local Government Area, fueling additional disorder.
The unrest spread to St. Paul, located within Terminus Market behind the Plateau Riders bus stop, and extended to the Gada Biu, Polo, and Angwan Rogo communities, resulting in many shops closing across the entire state.
Additionally, a minor disagreement near Farin Gada Market reportedly escalated into violence in Angwan Rukuba and Gada Biu, leading to the deaths of two women.
The incident quickly divided communities along religious lines, prompting retaliatory attacks despite the governor’s brief easing of the 48-hour curfew to 7am to 3pm.
Chief Sam Igwe Achi, the Igbo leader, expressed shock at the chaos, noting that many shop owners were fleeing for unknown reasons.
He urged traders to stay alert and protect their property from miscreants, emphasizing that their shops are their main source of income.
He also called on Governor Caleb Mutfwang to reimpose a curfew in Angwan Rukuba, Angwan Rogo, Farin Gada Market, and other affected areas within the Jos-Bukuru axis.
With security forces deploying personnel to restore order, normalcy is gradually returning to the city after days of unrest. However, reports indicate that some youths took advantage of the chaos to loot property in the early hours after the curfew was relaxed.
