The Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Lamurde Local Government Area following renewed violence linked to a protracted communal conflict in the area.
The curfew, which takes effect immediately, is aimed at containing the escalating crisis between the Chobo and Bachaman communities, which has claimed several lives in recent months.
Papers News reports that the directive was announced in a statement issued late Sunday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Humeashi Wonosikou.
According to the statement, the curfew became necessary following fresh attacks and breaches of peace in communities within the local government area.
“Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Lamurde Local Government Area with immediate effect,” the statement read.
It added, “This follows renewed violent attacks and breach of peace in some communities within the area.”
The governor described the disturbances as unacceptable and directed security agencies to enforce the order strictly to restore normalcy.
“Government views these disturbances as unacceptable and has directed security agencies to enforce the curfew strictly,” the statement quoted him as saying.
Fintiri warned that anyone or group found violating the curfew would face immediate arrest and prosecution.
“The curfew is effective immediately and will remain in place until further notice. Governor Fintiri has also directed security agencies to enforce the curfew and maintain law and order in the area,” the statement added.
Residents of Lamurde were urged to comply fully with the directive and assist security agencies with useful information that could help restore peace.
The governor stressed that his administration would not tolerate violence and would take decisive steps to ensure the safety of residents.
“The government is committed to protecting lives and property and ensuring the safety of all citizens,” the statement said.
The curfew comes amid reports of fresh killings linked to the lingering conflict between the two communities.
Earlier reports indicated that two people were killed before the government announced the curfew.
However, subsequent investigations revealed that four additional deaths were recorded after youths from the Bachaman community reportedly mobilised to defend their people.
According to The PUNCH, sources in Lamurde told reporters that the violence escalated when Bachaman youths allegedly invaded villages belonging to the Chobo community in retaliation.
When contacted earlier on Sunday, the spokesman for the Adamawa State Police Command, Suleiman Nguroje, confirmed the outbreak of violence.
Nguroje said the command was monitoring the situation and promised to provide details on the number of casualties.
However, he had yet to update journalists on the official casualty figures as of the time of filing this report.
Papers News understands that the crisis between the Chobo and Bachaman communities has persisted for several months, prompting repeated government interventions.
In fact, Governor Fintiri has imposed curfews in the area four times within the past six months in an effort to contain the violence.
Reports revealed that the conflict has claimed more than 30 lives, with women among the victims.
The situation has also drawn attention because both the governor’s former deputy and the current deputy governor reportedly hail from the Bachaman ethnic group.
