The Nigerian Army has imposed a 24-hour curfew in Ibi Local Government Area of Taraba State following the outbreak of ethno-religious crisis in the area. This was disclosed during press a briefing by Lt-Col CO Egemole at the Nigerian Army Battalion headquarters in Takum.
According to Egemole, the incidence was started by some youths throwing stones at Muslims in the mosque during Jumaat prayer which later escalated to sporadic shooting but with timely intervention of troops and other sister security agencies, normalcy was restored and 24 hours curfew imposed. For now, there has been no report of death.
He said troops of 93 battalion and other sister security agencies have arrested six persons in connection with the crisis and no death has been reported.
“The incidence started by some youths throwing stones at Muslims in the mosque during Jumaat prayer which later escalated to sporadic shooting but for the timely intervention of troops and other sister security agencies, normalcy was restored and 24 hours curfew imposed. For now, there has been no report of death and six persons have so far been arrested in connection to the crisis and manhunt ongoing for other perpetrators”, Egemole said.
Egemole added that 3 AK-47 assault rifles, 2 AK-47 magazines, 4 single barrel guns, 11 cartridges, 1 axe, 2 hammers, 1 cutlass, 2 handsaws, 1 knife, 3 mobile phones, 1 catapult, 1 broken butt, 19 rounds of 5.56mm, 104 rounds of 7.2mm special and I liter of PMS have so far been recovered.
He said the Army will be handing over suspects and arms to the police for further investigation and prosecution. Egemole noted that prior to this incidence, the Unit had two major peace meetings as directed by higher authorities between the stakeholders within the same week but it seemed all that was said fell on deaf ears.
“We will continue to encourage the stakeholders to resolve the crisis politically and will not relent in making sure there is lasting peace in Ibi as stipulated in the Chief of Army staff’s Vision”, he said.
Egemole further stated that more measures have been put in place for more peace meetings to resolve the ongoing crisis in Ibi LGA.
“All stakeholders in the area are also requested to educate mostly the youths on the need for peaceful co-existence and tolerance amongst one another for the benefit of growth and sustenance”, Egemole said.
Full text of the Briefing…
PRESS BRIEF ON THE CRISIS IN IBI LGA
1. On behalf of Officers and men of 93 Battalion, I am delighted to welcome you to our Headquarters in Takum. Let me start by thanking you most sincerely for your continuous commitment and support in publicizing the activities of the Nigerian Army in aid to civil authority as ensured in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As amended) and to reassure you of the Chief of Army Staff commitment to protect lives and properties whenever we are called upon to do so in line with the provisions of the law.
2 The essence of this briefing is to create awareness in the public on what happened on the 25 March 2016 at Ibi LGA. Ibi LGA of Taraba state has been characterized by ethno-religious crisis and the one of 25 March 2016 was one of such. The incidence started by some youths throwing stones at Muslims in the mosque during Jumaat praying which later escalated to sporadic shooting but for the timely intervention of troops and other sister security agencies, normalcy was restored and 24 hours curfew imposed. For now, there has been no report of death.
3. 6 persons have so far been arrested in connection to the crisis and manhunt ongoing for other perpetuators. 3 Ak47 assault rifles, 2 AK47
magazines, 4 single barrel guns, 11 cartridges, 1 axe, 2 hammers, 1 cutlass, 2 handsaws, 1 knife, 3 mobile phones, 1 catapult, 1 broken butt, 19 rounds
of 5.56mm, 104 rounds of 7.2mm special and I liter of PMS have so far been recovered. We will be handing over suspects and arms to the NPF for further investigation and prosecution.
4. It is worthy to note, prior to this incidence, the Unit had 2 major peace meetings as directed by higher authorities between the stakeholders within the same week but it seemed all that was said fell on deaf ears, but dialogue will never cease. We will continue to encourage the stakeholders to resolve the crisis politically and will not relent in making sure there is lasting peace in Ibi as stipulated in the Chief of Army staff Vision.
5. Further more, measures have been put in place for more peace meetings to resolve the ongoing crisis in Ibi LGA. All stakeholders in the area are also requested to educate mostly the youths on the need for peaceful co-existence and tolerance amongst one another for the benefit of growth and sustenance.
Thank you Sir.
Mar 25, 2016
CO EGEMOLE
Takum
Lt Col
CO
