Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benúe State on Wednesday declared an indefinite curfew in Ukum Local Government Area of the state.

Our correspondent reports that heavy protests broke out in Sankera, the Ukum LGA headquarters early on Wednesday following the fresh killings of 11 people by armed outlaws.

The protesters were alleged to have torched the council’s secretariat and vowed to burn it down as they laid dead bodies of victims on the parking lot of the Council Chairman, Victor Iorzaa.

Iorzaa had told journalists in Makurdi earlier that he could not comment on the matter.

The governor who imposed the curfew through his deputy, Barr. Sam Ode, cited the grave security situation in the region which had led to the wanton destruction of government property.

“Beginning today, 3rd July 2024, a curfew be imposed on Ukum Local Government and environs…

“The curfew shall be observed from 6pm to 6am beginning from tomorrow 4th of July 2024 until further notice,” he said.

Alia further called for calm, saying security operatives have been deployed in their numbers to keep the peace in Ukum in particular and the Sankera region at large.