Photo: CP Egbuka briefing the press after the emergency security council meeting
Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has directed all security agencies in the state to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that they apprehend the perpetrators of wanton killings in some communities of Bassa and Riyom Local Government Areas.
The Governor’s charge comes after an emergency meeting of the Plateau State Security Council which lasted over three hours and was held behind closed doors.
Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Edward Egbuka, while briefing newsmen after the meeting, said the Governor gave the directive after receiving full briefs from the various security organs in the State and after exhaustive review of the situation.
“The governor gave marching orders to the Police, Operation Safe Haven, Nigerian Army, DSS, Civil Defence, NSCDC and other collaborating agencies to reinforce and contain the situation without further delay.
“The meeting basically reviewed the fallout of events within the last 48 hours where there were attacks specifically at Jebbu Miango. From our records as at Saturday night the 31st of July 2021, five people were killed while about 85 buildings were burnt.
“The next morning, the attacks still persisted. From intelligence, the attackers are militia brought from outside the State. The attacks continued in Tamburam, Riyom LGA where unfortunately twelve people were also killed and some houses destroyed and again at Maiyanga. We lost some security personnel at Maiyanga and Riyom”.
Egbuka said that although security agencies had deployed men on the ground to curb the situation, the Governor directed them to do everything possible to bring the situation under control within the next 48 hours and arrest all the perpetrators.
“This is the sound of warning to the people involved in perpetrating this violent acts. The leaders will be arrested. There are records of leaders that are on bail temporarily, and some of them have been fingered in this present attacks.
“Nobody will be spared. Human life is sacrosanct and nobody can take it at will. There is a Government in place and it will not accept lawlessness” the CP said.
He assured the citizens that the directives of the Government will be swiftly carried out as the security agencies will further strategise and reinforce to contain the situation, arrest the attackers and bring them to account.
A statement issued on Tuesday in Jos by Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to Governor Lalong, said the meeting also resolved to enhance engagement and collaboration with informal security groups such as the vigilante, community watch groups, hunters association and community leaders for enhanced intelligence gathering.
It said that Governor Lalong also sympathized with the victims and reiterated his directive for an immediate assessment of the humanitarian needs and assistance to affected people by State Emergency Management Agency once the security agencies contain the situation, adding that “further engagements will then follow by the Peace Building Agency.”
The meeting which was chaired by the Governor was attended by the Deputy Governor Prof. Sonni Tyoden, Secretary to Government of the State Prof. Danladi Atu, Chief of Staff Noel Donjur, Chairman, Plateau Council of Traditional Rulers and Emirs, His Majesty Da Jacob Gyang Buba, the Gbong Gwom Jos, the chairmen of Riyom and Bassa LGAs, as well as the DG Plateau Peace Building Agency.
Also in attendance were the GOC 3rd Armoured Division, Jos, the Commander Operation Safe Haven, Garrison Commander, Commander 551 NAF Station Jos, Coordinator Operation Rainbow, Director DSS, Commandant NSCDC, as well as Commanders of NDLEA, Immigration Service and Correctional Service.
