Simon Lalong, governor of Plateau state, says some people
are planning to keep the state in perpetual crisis using divisive methods.
Over the past few weeks, Plateau has recorded a number of
violent attacks, leading to the death of many people.
The development has created palpable fear about the state of
security in the state as some state governments have evacuated their indigenes
from the University of Jos.
Speaking on the development in a press briefing on Monday, Lalong asked residents of the state not allow those who desire to see the state in perpetual crisis to use politics and religion to divert attention from their criminal activities.
The governor said the violent attacks in the state are
criminal activities even though they are being given ethno-religious
connotations.
“From the engagements so far, it has again become clear that
all these attacks are purely criminal activities that must be treated as such.
Even though they are quickly given ethno-religious connotations, there is no justification
for the killing of any human being. We are a society that is guided by rules
which do not permit anyone to take the laws into his or her hands no matter the
grievances,” the governor said.
“There is an obvious plan by those who desire to see Plateau
in perpetual crises to employ all divisive methods to achieve their objectives.
We must not allow them to use politics, religion, and ethnicity to divert our
attention from their criminal activities.
“My determination as your governor is to ensure that I
encourage all citizens to embrace one another and use peaceful means to settle
any disagreement.”
The governor said he has relaxed the curfew in Jos north,
Jos south, and Bassa LGAs after reviewing certain decisions taken in the wake of
the attacks.
“At the end of the review, Government took the following
decisions: i. The curfew in Jos North is to be relaxed. Beginning from Monday
30th August 2021, the curfew shall be enforced from 6pm to 6am until further
notice,” he said.
“The curfew in Jos South and Bassa is to also be further
relaxed. As from Monday 30th August 2021, the curfew shall be enforced between
10pm to 6am until further notice.
“The ban on Tricycles (Keke NAPEP) and hawkers remains in
force within Jos/Bukuru metropolis.
“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.”
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