On Monday, June 17, at the Bukuru market in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, a person was reportedly killed and several others injured when hoodlums set fire to over 10 vehicles and a microfinance bank building while confronting officials from the Jos Metropolitan Development Board enforcing an Executive Order.
The clash occurred as enforcement officers arrived to oversee the demolition of illegal roadside structures within the market. They faced violent resistance from hoodlums who attacked them with stones and other weapons.
Residents of Bukuru reported that the chaos led to the destruction of a microfinance bank building and the burning of over 10 vehicles, with some traders injured while fleeing the scene.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang condemned the attack on the task force and traders, calling it disgraceful.
He criticized the attackers for their reckless actions, which included using dangerous weapons, harming residents, looting shops, and destroying traders’ vehicles.
In a statement by his spokesperson, Gyang Bere, Mutfwang stated that the incident was avoidable and questioned the motives of those defying Executive Order 003 with violence.
He urged security agencies to quickly arrest the perpetrators and ensure they face justice.
Mutfwang reaffirmed the state government’s determination to address troublemakers and emphasized that Executive Order 003 aims to prevent Jos from becoming a slum and a haven for crime.
Security forces have been dispatched to the area to restore order.
