By Taye Obateru, Kingsley Omonobi, Ben Agande & Luka Binniyat
JOS — Tension remained high in the troubled areas of Plateau State yesterday despite the curfew imposed by the state government following the killing of Senator Gyang Dantong and Majority Leader of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Mr Gyang Fulani.
JOS — Tension remained high in the troubled areas of Plateau State yesterday despite the curfew imposed by the state government following the killing of Senator Gyang Dantong and Majority Leader of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Mr Gyang Fulani.
In response to the killing and tension it has generated, President
Goodluck Jonathan yesterday summoned an emergency meeting of security
chiefs even as the Inspector General of Police has deployed 4,000 Mobile
policemen, Anti-terrorists, and Armoured Personnel Carriers, APC’s to
the affected areas.
The lawmakers were killed on Sunday while attending the mass burial
of about 50 victims of Saturday’s attack on villages in Barkin Ladi and
Riyom local government areas of the state. The curfew which was
initially announced to last from 6pm to 7am was later moved to 12 noon
apparently to forestall further trouble.
Senate President David Marrk (right) commiserating the Senator Dantong’s wife, Hannatu and son in Jos on Monday
Governor Jang had in a
broadcast to the people on Sunday night declared Monday and Tuesday, days of mourning.
broadcast to the people on Sunday night declared Monday and Tuesday, days of mourning.
Yesterday’s meeting summoned by President Jonathan was attended by
the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki; the Chief of Defence
Staff, Oluseyi Petinrin; Minister of State, Defence, Mrs. Olusola Obada;
Minister of Police Affairs, Caleb Olubolade; Minister of Interior, Mr.
Abba Moro; Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Muhammed Abubakar;
Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika; Chief of Naval Staff,
Vice-Admiral Ola Ibrahim; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Mohammed Umar;
and the Director-General, State Security Service, Mr. Ita Ekpenyong.
Attempts by State House correspondents to get participants at the
meeting to speak to newsmen failed. While the Chief of Army Staff,
Lt.Gen.Azubuike Ihejirika directed reporters to the Chief of Defence
Staff, Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin, he in turn referred
journalists to the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.).
When the National Security Adviser emerged, he equally referred
journalists to Petinrin for comment after which he drove away.
Although such meetings are held on Tuesdays, the fact that it was held yesterday underscored its emergency.
