Governor Lalong, addressing the meeting.
By M. Peter – Jos
Plateau state Governor, Simon Lalong ordered the State Commissioner of Police to arrest and question community leaders and Ardos of Kwatas community, Bokkos local government area, at a stakeholders meeting on Tuesday.
The governor says 15 people were killed in Kwatas community and properties destroyed in an attacked by unknown persons. But the police in a statement
said that 13 people were Killed.
Governor Lalong who gave the order during a meeting with heads of security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders and Ardos at little Rayfield, government house, Jos, Lalong said perpetrators of the killings in Kwatas must be brought to book. The Ardos represented Fulani community at the meeting held on Tuesday 28th January.
“How can they say that people are killed and there is no arrest? Are those killing others spirits? I don’t think you can kill 15 human beings and claim you are spirit and there is not arrest.”
“Commissioner of Police, you should take the community leaders and the Ardos with you so that they can tell you those behind these killings. By the time you go to cell, you will bring out those people that are doing it. If you want to give evidence, give it to the commissioner of police. We are not afraid of criminals.”
A cross section of stakeholders at the meeting.
Lalong acknowledged the contributions played by some community leaders towards ensuring security of the communities.
He however directed security agencies in the state to ensure the arrest of those behind the gruesome and provocative killings in Kwatas community.
“The Army is here, Police, Civil Defence, DSS, Operation rainbow. So, I want those people today. They should not sleep in their houses. By the time they are arrested, we will solve this problem”.
The Dune had also reported that Another attack in Plateau on Sunday Night left 10 people dead
Commissioner of Police in Plateau State Isaac Akimoyede earlier briefed the Governor on the crises and the efforts made to contain it explaining
that he had held a meeting with the community leaders last Saturday.
“Since I have been in the state since February, no event of this magnitude have happened. We have been investigating the incident in Mangu
and then this.”
“We cannot continue in this situation in the state. If anyone has grievances, he should come up and say it so that we
can find solution, not to take the laws into his hand and kill. We will not
allow it” the CP said.
He assured the Governor that the security personnel have been
deployed in the trouble areas to forestall any spread of the crises beyond the initial areas.
The Dune could not ascertain as at the time of filing this report if any leader or Ardos from Kwatas community have been arrested or invited for questioning by the police.
