Jos crisis: ‘Attack’ on luxurious buses fake news, says governor

Police and Plateau government have debunked a media report that two luxurious buses were set on fire in Jos.

The Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong, has debunked reports that two luxurious buses were set on fire in Jos.

Daily Trust reports that there have been social media posts purportedly showing luxurious buses on fire with the caption “Plateau crises and genocide worsens as 2 luxurious buses conveying Igbos down East were set on fire with 156 passengers inside.”

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Our correspondent reports that inciting videos and messages are being circulated in the state following the recent killing of more than 30 members the of Anaguta ethnic group in Yelwa Zangam, in Jos North.

The government, therefore, advised members of the public to ignore the report, describing it as fake and no such incident had happened.

Police in Plateau also shot down the claim, saying there was “no record of such incident anywhere in Jos.”

According to Lalong in a statement signed by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr. Makut Simon Macham, the report “is purely the handiwork of crises merchants mischief-makers who want to create panic and instigate violence and fear among the people.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the security situation in Plateau State is very much under control as security personnel have been deployed to all parts of Jos to enforce the 24-hour curfew still in force, as well as to ensure compliance with the dusk to dawn curfew in Jos South and Bassa LGAs, ” he added.

Macham said the governor had directed security agencies to track and fish out the purveyors of such fake information whose objective was to cause panic and crisis, advising citizens to desist from sharing such fake information as it could lead to unpleasant consequences for innocent persons.