Governor Simon Lalong has ordered the immediate arrest of Fulani and Community leaders in Bokkos local government council of his state following continuous hostilities in the affected community where 15 persons were killed Sunday night mainly villagers.
Lalong gave this order at stakeholders meeting he summoned over plateau Central Senatorial disturbances that have left not less than 28 villagers dead in the’ hands of their assailants and properties worth millions of naira.
According to Lalong,” enough is enough, I have changed!”
On Tuesday, Governor Lalong had a few minutes’ stakeholders meeting with relevant stakeholders where he ordered for the arrest as State Commissioner of Police; Mr. Isaac Akinmoyede stated that no arrest has been made in connection with the incident.
The Governor who had put in much effort to see the return of peace in the State noted that “things cannot continue in this way, I have changed. How can they say that people are killed and there is no arrest are; Are those killing others spirits? I don’t think you can kill 15 human beings and claim you are spirit and there is no arrest.
”Commissioner of Police, you should take the community leaders and the Ardos with you so that they can tell you those behind these killings.
”By the time you go to the cell, you will bring out those people that are doing it. If you want to give evidence, give it to the commissioner of police. We are not afraid of criminals.
“Some community leaders and Ardos have done their best but within us, there are criminals. We must expose them no matter how high. If you are one of them, you better take yourself to the police station. The Army is here, Police, Civil Defence, DSS, Operation Rainbow. I want those people today. They should not sleep in their houses. By the time they are arrested, we will solve this problem,” he fumes.
The State Commissioner of Police, Isaac Akimoyede had earlier briefed the Governor on the crises and the efforts to contain it explaining that he had held a meeting with the community leaders last Saturday based on intelligence where he warned against any breach of the peace.
“Since I have been in the state since February, no event of this magnitude has happened. We have been investigating the incident in Mangu and then this. We cannot continue in this situation in the State.
”The security agencies have resolved that those people killing must be arrested no matter how highly placed. Peace must return to this state as we cannot continue in this situation. If anyone has grievances, he should come up and say it so that we can find a solution, not to take the laws into his hand and kill. We will not allow it,” the CP said.
In a swift reaction, the state chapter of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, and a sister Fulani organization, GAN Allah Association, all confirmed the attack but however asked for an investigation, “We urge the security agencies to always do its homework before any declaration,” MACBAN caretaker chairman, Isa Bappa, said.
“It is equally regrettable for some youth in Kwatas to launch an attack on Fulani communities as a reprisal. Both incidents are barbaric and condemnable.
“We call on the security agencies in the state to as a matter of urgency ensure the arrest of the perpetrators all the attacks,” he added.
Reprisal attack ensued…
The Newshawk gathered that reprisal attacks had earlier erupted as locals attacked Fulani settlements in some areas in the state with angry youths setting ablaze 23 houses and a mosque.
The attack is seen as a reprisal following the recent killing of 13 people by suspected armed herdsmen in Kwatas village of Bokkos local government area of the state.
