Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State, has summoned an emergency security and stakeholders meeting in his efforts to find a lasting solution to the recent skirmishes that led to loss of lives and properties in some parts of the state.
The meeting was aimed at examining the ways of restoring normalcy and permanent peace to the state.
He said despite the huge investments that have been made in peace building and crime fighting, the state is again confronted with the activities of criminals who are bent on reversing the gains made in the last six years.
Lalong disclosed while addressing the meeting at the Government House Little Rayfield Jos, the State Capital.
The Governor observed that in recent weeks and months, the state has witnessed cases of attacks on some communities in Jos North, Riyom LGA, Bassa LGA, Barkin Ladi and Jos South Local Government Areas.
“In most of these attacks, farmers as well as herders were either killed or cattle and farm crops destroyed. Houses were also burnt down and people rendered homeless.
According to him, “The human loses due to the destruction is very worrisome as it continues to fuel the endless circle of attacks and counter attacks.
Lalong regretted that, while these efforts were ongoing to bring those behind the unfortunate attacks to justice, another unfortunate breach of peace along Rukuba road on Saturday 14th August 2021 where a convoy of five buses with passengers returning from a religious festival in Bauchi State heading to Ondo State were attacked.
This act he said was “most despicable” which brought about the imposition of 24-hour curfew on Jos North Local Government Area in addition to the dusk to dawn curfew in Bassa and Jos South LGAs to curtail total breakdown of law and order.
The Governor charged the stakeholders to brainstorm honestly and come up with valuable suggestions as to what can be done to settle once and for all, the cycle of violence that was almost being forgotten before the recent ugly developments.
Among stakeholders who attended the meeting included: elders, past and present political office holders, representatives of CAN and JNI, PIDAN, women and youth groups as well as traditional rulers.
The meeting thereafter went into a closed-door session.