Plateau Killings: Those Calling For Retaliation Are Crying More Than The Bereaved – Gov Lalong

Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, has criticised the calls for reprisal against persons being the series of attacks and killings recorded in the state in the last few weeks.

Lalong appealed for calm and restraint in the wake of growing attacks by unidentified persons in the state.

In the latest attack on Wednesday, scores of persons were reportedly killed in Yelwan Zangam community in Jos North Local Government Area of the state.

The governor had met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday to updated him on the security developments in Plateau.

According to Lalong, Buhari pledged to support victims of the violent clashes in the state.

“I also made a request to the President about relief materials and also still re-echoed the issue of resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

“We have a lot of IDPs in my State, we have a lot on our hands already and when such happens, you expect the state to seek for support for relief materials.

“We are doing our best but the president said he will talk to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, so that attention would be given to those who are displaced as a result of this crisis.

“For over six years now, we have been enjoying peace in Plateau State so, anybody that wants to take Plateau back to those old days of crisis, it is not only me as governor but all Plateau people will resist that.

“They have said ‘we don’t want to go back to crisis again, we are enjoying peace, and we want to continue to enjoy our peace,’’ he said.

Last week, more than 22 travelers were reportedly killed around the Gada-Biyu–Rukuba road in the Jos North LGA.

Lalong promised to ensure that those behind the killings are prosecuted irrespective of their “connections” in the society.

On calls for reprisal, he said: “Again, I want to appeal to people because most of those who are outside the state calling for reprisal are not people from Plateau.

“I am yet to see one cleric coming out to say I want reprisal. I have set up an interreligious committee, which comprises all top religious leaders in Plateau State, both Muslims and Christians and when things like this happen, they address it.

“So, for people to call from outside the state for reprisal, I say no because they are crying more than the bereaved; leave us. We are handling our issue; we are doing reconciliation and consultations.

“If you want to do a reprisal, you are on your own. We have agreed with the religious leaders and all of them are doing their best, they are cooperating with the State and we are also doing our best.

“When this happened (the attack on travellers), we had to go to Ondo. But in so many places that is unusual, but we took all of them that we rescued and treated and went there with a powerful team led by the Deputy Governor of Plateau with all religious leaders to Ondo to sympathize with the State,’’ he added.