GOV. LALONG REASSURES ARMY CHIEF OF CONTINUOUS SUPPORT BY PLATEAU STATE GOVERNMENT AND THE NGF

By: Valentine Adese (JP),

Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau State has reassured the Nigerian Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Farouk Yahaya, of continuous support of the Plateau State Government and the Northern Governors Forum (NGF) to the army and other law enforcement agencies in addressing insecurity in the country.

Governor Lalong, who made this promise, while welcoming the Army Chief to Plateau State, also said he was delighted by the visit, which is an opportunity for the Government to appreciate the efforts of the armed forces in tackling insecurity in the State especially, in recent months.

He said, “Although the challenges are yet to be overcome, the Army has made enormous progress in various parts of the country where bandits, terrorists, kidnappers and other enemies of State have been dealt a heavy blow”.

The Governor maintained that, his Administration would continue to utilize the Peace Building Agency and other structures towards addressing conflicts and preventing violence.

Earlier, during his remarks the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Farouk Yahaya, according to a press statement signed by, Dr. Makut Simon Macham, the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State, dated 29^th September, 2021, the Chief of Army Staff assuring that, “the Nigerian Army would continue to work with the State in restoring peace and security to Plateau State”.

General Yahaya said, “The efforts of the Governor in promoting peace in the State through non-kinetic means has been very valuable and key to engendering peaceful coexistence”.

He also said, the Army through Operation Safe Haven and the 3rd Armoured Division would not relent in its operational duties of dealing with criminal elements who are working against the peace of the State and country at large.

Farouk sympathized with the State, over the recent attacks and assured that, “the military will not allow such occurrences again, saying the people need to continue to support the security agencies”.

He thanked the Governor for supporting the Army structure in the State and also at the level of the Northern Governors Forum towards overcoming security challenges.

General Yahaya said, “The security challenges in the country will definitely be overcome with the support and collaboration of all citizens”.