Mr. Simon Lalong, Governor of Plateau State. (Credit: Facebook)
By Marie-Therese Nanlong
Jos – A group of indigenes of Plateau state, Plateau Our Heritage, says the Governor, Mr. Simon Lalong, was merely paying lip service to security in the State.
The group made the assertion against the recurring killings, attacks and destruction of farmlands in Riyom local government area earlier this week.
It criticised the State government over what its termed “lip service” on issues of security, stressing that “condemning heinous crimes” required “matching words with action”.
The group in a statement by Alex Kwapnoe, Chairman and Friday Bako, Secretary said “existing but inactive State security outfit, Operation Rainbow should be handed to a well groomed security personnel to put it on the right footing; depending solely on the Army and Police has proven to be inadequate.”
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According to them, “the recurring effects of social disorder in communities in Plateau state as a result of banditry has become a major concern for the peaceful people of the state and we in the Plateau Our Heritage, revival initiative POH, are worried over this.
“We sympathize with our people who have for several years now been at the receiving end and urge them to still show restraint and engage in other lawful acts to drive home their points before the authorities.
“POH is particularly pained by the protest that engulfed Riyom LGA and lasted for a better part of Wednesday; thereby making social, economic and even government activities to shut down.
“We, at this trying moment, wish to call on the state and federal governments; to wake up to their responsibilities and act without further delay to engage the people in any meaningful way to chart a way forward to peaceful coexistence among the people.
“We note with dismay, the wanton destructions to lives and properties that are being experienced in communities of Barkin Ladi, Jos south, Riyom and Bassa LGAs in addition to mowing down yet to be harvested farm crops in recent times and warn with a loud voice that it is wicked, callous, insensitive and unacceptable. The forceful attempt to grap our God given heritage would sure receive resistance in equal measure.”
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“The POH is further disturbed that with the activities of bandits, kidnappers, large portions of lands have been left uncultivated for fear of attacks and for the little ones that have been cultivated, the crops; especially maize were reportedly shredded before maturity and this is the height of irresponsibility on the part of perpetrators of these callous actions.”
The group called on the government to “be proactive, change its modus operandi in tackling the challenges as that would douse the festering tension.”
