Governor Lalong Reassures Plateau People of Dealing with Criminals, Killers and Evildoers, In all the recent attacks, arrests have been made and justice will be done.
The Executive Governor of Plateau State & chairman Northern Governor’s forum, Hon. Simon Bako Lalong, made this statement at the Nigeria inter religious council (NIREC) stakeholders meeting in Abuja, 26th august 2021. Following the recent attack on Yelwa Zangam village of Jos North Local Government where many people were gruesomely murdered and properties destroyed.
Lalong commend the Co-Chairmen of the Council, Rev. Dr. Samson Ayokunle, CAN National President and His Eminence Alhaji Saad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs for providing the desired leadership and remaining firm in the face of daunting challenges.
In his statement:
“As religious, traditional and political leaders, we must work hard to provide the leadership that guides people to isolate crimes from religious, ethnic or political affiliations. After all, no religion promotes hate, killing, kidnapping, stealing, destruction and intolerance. It is only when we treat criminals as criminals that we can overcome the level of insecurity we are facing in Nigeria today”.
It is rather unfortunate and highly disappointing that some religious leaders and their followers use the pulpit to incite, provoke and propagate hate, reprisals, as well as attempt to justify the actions of criminals rather than condemn it. Let me again reiterate that crime has no religion, tribe or ethnicity. Rather, evidence has shown that criminals unite across these lines to plan and execute their evil plans. It is when they are apprehended and being brought to justice that their sponsors play the ethno-religious card to curry sympathy for them and seek to set them free.
Governor Lalong went further to explain the reason behind the 24-hour curfew imposed on Jos North Local Government LGA of the State
“The past weeks in Plateau State have been very challenging as we have witnessed resurgence of attacks on innocent citizens leading to the loss of many lives and destruction of properties. While we continue to take security measures to deal with the criminals, such attacks are easily given ethnic or religious colouration.
Such unfortunate narratives tend to overshadow the criminal conduct as some try to brand a whole ethnic or religious group either as culprits or victims. This further fuels tensions and passions among sympathisers of either faith or ethnic group, leading to more unrest. The criminals use this advantage to hide, escape and become more audacious to commit more crimes.
That was why we had to reinstate a 24-hour curfew on Jos North Local Government after the attacks that took place in Yelwa Zangam village of that Local Government where many people were gruesomely murdered and properties destroyed. We took that decision in order to prevent criminals from taking advantage of the situation to loot and begin to target places of worship and other facilities”
Furthermore, Lalong draw attention to the negative use of the social media which is being exploited to create panic, spread hate and incite people. In fact, we have seen people glorifying or justifying crime in the social media space. I call on the regulatory bodies as well as well-meaning Nigerians to rise up to the occasion and deal with the matter.
He also like to call on the leadership of NIREC to again step up its sensitization among adherents of the two religions by engaging the clergy on the need to avoid sermons and comments that attempt to justify crimes. We must all rise in unity against criminals or be ready to become victims on the long run.
Lalong urge NIREC to pray for Plateau State as the Government are doing everything possible to address the situation. He said, they are isolating the few criminals that want to return the State to the days of agony and we shall deal with them. In all the recent attacks, arrests have been made and justice will be done. Plateau is still the Home of Peace and Tourism and welcomes everyone with good intentions.
