Chris Steven, Abuja

Simon Lalong, the Governor of Plateau State said he was compelled to impose curfew on Jos and Bukuru metropolis by the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the Southeast.

He said that IPOB’s activities were already manifesting the state but he had to declare the curfew to avert anarchy, bloodshed and wanton destruction of lives and property of innocent citizens.

Lalong said the fact that he imposed the curfew last Thursday does not mean that the state had been plunged into crisis, adding that that prompt government intervention had saved lives in the state.

“As the ugly dimension was gathering momentum and building up rapidly, it would have been more bloody if government had not imposed the curfew. I disagree with the people, especially outside the state that Plateau is no longer at peace,” he said at the Valedictory Court Session in honour of the retiring Chief Judge of the state, Justice Pius Damulak.

He promised to upgrade the standards of judiciary in the state, saying: “We remember his contributions to life beyond legal jurisprudence.

“With one eulogy after another, we are reminded of the hard work, dedication, commitment and sacrifices in the sleepless nights and family life that were spent in research and other rigorous tasks.