Plateau Killings: Lalong Tells Residents to Protect Themselves

Governor Simon Lalong

 

The Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, on Thursday condemned the assassination of a former Head of Civil Service in the state, Moses Gwom, by suspected Fulani herdsmen and directed residents to be vigilant and protect their domains. A soldier, identified as Corporal Chimezie Goodluck, and a businesswoman, Rhoda Dauda, were also killed in the attack suspected to have been carried out by Fulani herdsmen.

 

 He also directed security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the killings which took place by 9.00pm on Tuesday at Doruwa community, also known as Wereh, in the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of the state.

 

Lalong in a Government House statement issued in Jos by the Director of Press and Public Affairs, Samuel Nanle, said the masterminds of the attacks would soon be apprehended.

 

The statement partly read, “This event (killing) is unfortunate and highly condemnable. The governor has therefore directed the security agencies in the state to swing into action to fish out the perpetrators of this heinous and dastardly act. He has also assured the people of the state that their safety remains a priority to the government despite pockets of cases that seem to suggest the existence of reprisals.

 “The executive governor is further calling on all residents of neighbourhoods that experienced violence during the dark decade of violent conflicts in the state not to rest on their oars in ensuring vigilance through security watch and intensified efforts in building community cohesion.”

 

Also reacting to the death of their kinsman, a socio-political group, the Berom Educational and Cultural Organisation, said the killings were aimed at wiping them out of their land.

 

BECO said it had lost the finest sons and daughters in Berom to unprovoked killings.

 

The position of BECO was contained in a statement titled, ‘Another deadly blow to peace in Berom land,” signed by its President, Ericson Fom, and Chairman, Media and Publicity Sub-Committee of BPS 2017, Rwang  Gyang.

 

 The  statement read in part, ‘BECO is rudely shocked by the assassination of Moses Gwom, a former Head of Civil Service, Plateau State and two others by persons suspected to be Fulani at  a village near Barkin Ladi town.

 

This ugly and very painful incident has definitely shook the fragile foundation of the so-called relative peace the state was said to be enjoying.”