By: Valentine Adese (JP),
Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong has warned citizens of the state, to follow peaceful and lawful means of settling grievances in the state or face a showdown with government.
The Governor in a Statewide Broadcast on 30th August, 2021, said, “Those, who fail to follow lawful means to settle their grievances, should be ready for a showdown with Government”.
The Governor said, after the review of the security situation in the state personally, he has also ordered for relief materials for the victims of the various attacks in Jos-North, Bassa, Jos-South and Barki-ladi Local Government Areas.
Lalong further disclosed that, the assistance of the Federal Government is coming soon.
The broadcast text further in part reads: “Arising from my discussion with Mr. President, I had a meeting with the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, as well as, the DG of the National Emergency Management Agency regarding humanitarian assistance to the victims of the various attacks. I received commitment that very soon, relief materials will be delivered to us.
“Already, the State Government has procured relief materials, which are being distributed to the victims in various locations. On Friday, the Peace Building Agency also delivered relief materials donated by USAID to displaced communities in Bassa. We shall continue to partner with more humanitarian organizations towards alleviating the suffering of the victims.
“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 Government as we will never tolerate killings and destruction of properties under any guise.
“During these trying times, I have watched with great disappointment the unfortunate comments and utterances of some citizens including religious, political and community leaders from within and outside the State who rather than calm nerves and join hands with the Government to ensure the quick restoration of peace, resorted to pushing out ethno-religious sentiments that further created tensions.
“Some sections of the mainstream and social media also chose to play to the gallery and fanned the embers of hatred and disunity.
“However, majority of media platforms performed their duties diligently and highlighted Government’s efforts in discharging its constitutional obligation of ensuring the safety of lives and property.
“I must commend people of conscience across different faiths, ethnic and political backgrounds that have remained objective, dispassionate and resolute towards condemning the criminal actions of the attackers and offering useful suggestions to Government on ways to improve public safety.
“I wish to thank friends of Plateau State from far and near who sent words of encouragement and played various roles in calming nerves as well as refuting false narratives about the wrong perceptions and exaggeration of the situation”.
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