Plateau – We would not tolerate killings of innocent persons , criminality – Gov Lalong
Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong on Wednesday said his administration does not want to hear of any incidence of “unknown gunmen” terrorizing its people any longer.
He further said that his administration is collaborating with the security agencies to ensure that lasting peace is achieved in state.
Lalong also said that we are aware of the recent alert by the Department of State Services of a threat to cause inter-religious violence by some criminal elements.
” We have to take this alert seriously and ensure that we report any suspicious activity to the security agencies. I also advise our people not to succumb to the divisive antics of such elements who exploit the fault lines of religion, ethnicity, politics, and other sectional interests to create chaos.”
The Governor made this known while speaking at a stakeholders meeting he convened in Jos.
He said that we cannot do it alone. Now that we have community policing constables, we expect better security as we all support them to work.
“My administration would continue to pay attention to the security of lives and property by adopting various measures to foster peaceful coexistence and also deal with crime and criminality.
” I am aware of the incidences of kidnapping, cultism, and other violent crimes in some parts of Plateau State. The Government is working hard with the security agencies and stakeholders to ensure that the ugly incidences are tackled. ”
” Last month, I signed the Anti-kidnapping, Land grabbing, Cultism, and Violence-related matters bill passed by the State House of Assembly into law. By that law, anyone convicted of kidnapping in Plateau State will be sentenced to death while cultism and other violent crimes attract various terms of imprisonment. ”
“Also in December last year, we inaugurated 595 Community Police constables who were trained and deployed to the 17 Local Government Areas to assist law enforcement agencies, particularly the police in intelligence gathering and other security operations. Now that it has taken off, I expect to hear from you how best we can domesticate and own the initiative at the grassroots. ”
Lalong also said that “Because security is a collective responsibility, I charge you to assist the Government to sensitize and mobilize all citizens to always be security conscious and take measures to protect their vicinity against criminals. Apart from exposing them, they should also embrace techniques to provide the first line of alarm and defense before security agencies respond.
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