By Israel Joel ,Jos
Plateau state Governor Simon Lalong has alleged that some persons are planning to see the state in perpetual crisis just as he warned that he will ‘not tolerate killings and destruction of properties under any guise.’
Lalong in a statewide broadcast on Monday said his administration would not allow criminal elements to use politics, religion, and ethnicity to divert their attention from their criminal activities.
In his words “We are facing a very difficult moment and we must work together to overcome,”.
“There is an obvious plan by those who desire to see Plateau in perpetual crises to employ all divisive methods to achieve their objectives. We must not allow them to use politics, religion, and ethnicity to divert our attention from their criminal activities .”
He added that ” I wish to commiserate with the entire citizens of the State over these sad developments. I particularly extend my deep condolences to the families of those who lost loved ones, as well as those who sustained injuries and lost properties during the carnage. I have directed that Government pays the medical bills of those who are receiving treatment in various health facilities.”
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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.
He added that “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 ethnoreligious 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,” he said.
“My dear citizens, our long-term goal is to foster dialogue, collaboration, understanding, and proactive dispute resolution mechanisms that will make it difficult for people to resort to criminality in the name of self-help and reprisals whenever there is any disagreement. Those who fail to follow lawful means to settle their grievances should be ready for a showdown with the Government as we will never tolerate killings and destruction of properties under any guise.”
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The governor however expressed disappointment with the utterances of some religious, community, and political leaders that were capable of inciting people.
On the reopening of UNIJOS, the governor said, “Let me use this opportunity to assure parents of students studying at the University of Jos that we are working with the university authorities to ensure the safety of their wards as soon as the school reconvenes.”
He appealed to citizens of the state to me their brothers keeper at all times .
