After over three hours of deliberations behind closed doors, the Plateau State Security Council rose from its emergency meeting with a directive by Governor Simon Lalong to the security agencies in the State to take full control of all vulnerable in Bassa and Riyom LGAs and clear the attackers that have parpetrated mayhem within the areas.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting, Commissioner of Police Edward Egbuka said the Governor after receiving full briefs from the various security organs in the State and after exhaustive review of the situation, 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.
According to CP Egbuka, “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 although security agencies have deployed men on the ground coping with the situation, the Governor has 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.
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.
The Governor during the meeting again sympathised with the victims and also reiterated his directive for immediate assessment of the humanitarian needs and assistance to affected people by State Emergency Management Agency once the security agencies contain the situation. Further engagements will then follow by the Peace Building Agency.
The meeting 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, GOC 3rd Armoured Division and 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. The Chairmen of Riyom and Bassa LGAs and the DG Peace Building Agency were also in attendance.
