Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State and the senator representing Plateau North in the National Assembly, Istifanus Gyang, have condemned the renewed attacks in the Bassa Local Government Area of the state, which left at least three persons dead and another with injuries between Sunday and Monday.
In a statement on Monday, Lalong, who described the development as worrisome and intolerable, said he had directed the Peace Building Agency to visit the area and get to the root of the killings, insisting that the situation must be brought under control immediately to prevent further degeneration.
The statement signed by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Macham Makut, quoted the governor as saying, “I want all those involved in these crimes to be arrested and made to face the full weight of the law. While this is going on, the machinery for dialogue, reconciliation and confidence building should be vigorously pursued by the Peace Building Agency with the support of the newly constituted Inter-faith Council.
“We will not tolerate any act that takes us back to the dark days of violence and destruction.”
While commiserating with the families of those killed, the governor said all citizens must be security conscious and avoid any conduct that would jeopardise peaceful coexistence in the state.
Gyang, on his part, said he was saddened and grieved by the attacks on Rikwechongu and Zirshe villages of the Irigwe Chiefdom in the Bassa Local Government Area of the state allegedly by killer herdsmen resulting in the death of four young men, burning of houses and food barns, adding that this was shortly after a similar ambush and killing of youths in the Riyom Local Government Area.
A statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Protocol, Musa Ashoms, on Monday said, “The senator notes with concern and dismay that while all efforts are focussed on rebuilding peace and reconciling people of Plateau North, there are still persons, whose preoccupation is violence and bloodletting.
“Senator Gyang is therefore urging the government and the security agencies, which have the mandatory constitutional responsibility of securing lives and property, to secure and protect law-abiding citizens and communities of Plateau North and bring the culprits to justice.”
