Andrew Ajijah
Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has charged security operatives in the state to deal ruthlessly with anyone found fomenting trouble in the state.
Governor Lalong gave the warning, on Thursday, in Jos, at a Plateau Unity and Peace Discourse, organised by the Plateau Peace Building Agency, which is marking Plateau Peace Week 2019.
The governor was represented by the Secretary to the Government of Plateau State, Prof. Danladi Atu.
According to the governor, “I have directed the security agencies to deal decisively with any persons or group found to be engaged in crisis mongering and incitement or propagation of fake news or hate speech that can steer people to violence,” the governor warmed.
He said the decision to chase crisis merchants out of the state, who are bent on raising false alarm, was reversible.
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“Let me use this opportunity to again, warn those who remain bent on causing insecurity and violence to desist as our determination to ensure that the Peace attained is consolidated cannot be shaken.”
Governor Lalong revealed that plans were underway to resettle citizens who fled the state due to persistent civil unrest since 2001.
The governor, however, sued for peace saying, “This we can only achieve when we (Plateau citizens) allow our hearts to heal, forgive and reconcile with one another.”
Earlier in an address, Director General of Plateau Peace Building Agency, Dr. Joseph Lengman, said the agency had achieved relative peace and pledged to sustain it.
He also boss reported, at the public discourse, held at Hill Station Hotel, Jos, that there were pockets of attacks and killing of persons in the state in spite of the relative peace being enjoyed.
“People are still facing different forms of Peace and security challenges, lives are sometimes lost and families and communities suffering from the brunt.”
Dr. Lengman said the agency would not relent on it efforts of preaching Peace through advocacy.
“We need to teach our young people to become a new generation of peace, not violence and not drug or cultism, a generation that practices compassion and service to others,” The DG stressed.
Security chiefs and Plateau stakeholders attended the public discourse.
