Following the renewed killings in Plateau state, Governor Simon Lalong said he has requested for the deployment of more security forces and equipment to forestall further occurrences of attacks in the state.
This is as he tagged the recent killings in the state as purely criminal activities that must be treated as such.
Lalong in a broadcast on Monday while addressing the security situation in the state said even though the attacks in Jos North, Bassa, Riyom, and Barkin Ladi were quickly given ethno-religious connotations, there are no justifications for the killings of any human.
The request he said was placed before President Muhammadu Buhari during his visit to Abuja to intimate the president on the security situation in the state.
He said, “To forestall further occurrences, I visited and met with the President in Abuja to seek for more deployment of security forces and equipment to enhance the capacity of our law enforcement agencies to protect our people. I received assurances from the President that the request will be acted upon immediately.”
The Governor however expressed regret as the killing persisted and all efforts to address the worsening security situation; adding, “these attacks continued with the incident in Rukuba Road where commuters were attacked leading to other deaths and destruction. The ugly situation again resurfaced in Yelwa Zangam village of Jos North Local Government where many people were again killed and properties destroyed.”
He however met with the President and other stakeholders in seeking measures to end the cycling violence in the state.
“As a result of these occurrences, I convened a high level stakeholders meeting where traditional, political, community and religious leaders gathered to brainstorm on how to bring an end to this cycle of violence.
“Thereafter, I held separate meetings with leaders of Irigwe Land as well as Fulani Community to further engage them on lasting solutions to the protracted conflict within the area.
“It important to state that we have had several engagements with them in the past and made efforts to ensure that peace prevails in the area. Between January and July this year, the Plateau Peace Building Agency has conducted over 34 mediation engagements at community levels in Miango, Kwall, Dusten Kura, and Gyelobari Districts of Bassa LGA.
“In response to the attacks, I also held meetings with the Plateau Inter-Religious Council and directed them, along with the Peace Building Agency to swing into action by carrying out more consultations and engagements to defuse tensions, calm nerves and dig deep into the immediate and remote causes of these conflicts with a view to bringing the ugly situation to an end.
“From the engagements so far, it has again become clear that all these attacks are purely criminal activities that must be treated as such. Even though they are quickly given ethno-religious connotations, there is no justification for the killing of anyone human being. We are a society that is guided by rules which do not permit anyone to take the laws into his or her hands no matter the grievances.
“Yesterday I visited Yelwa Zangam village of Jos North Local Government to see things for myself and commiserate with the families of those affected, as well as reassure them that Government will stop at nothing to apprehend other fleeing suspects behind the attacks. We are determined to ensure diligent investigation and prosecution to give them justice.
“Arising from my discussion with Mr. President, I had a meeting with the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development as well as the DG of the National Emergency Management Agency regarding humanitarian assistance to the victims of the various attacks. I received commitment that very soon, relief materials will be delivered to us,” he said.
