Lalong denounces the activities of the kidnappers and ritualists of the plateau

Stung by the activities of criminal elements who are causing insecurity in the state through isolated attacks and killings, Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong said yesterday that his administration had taken several measures to build capacity. security agencies to deal with such threats.

The governor lamented the high level of drug abuse, kidnappings and recent ritual killings in the state, stressing that this is unacceptable as there is no hiding place for them in the state. He said he would do everything possible to end their threat.

Lalong, who spoke at the interfaith church service to mark Armed Forces Remembrance Day 2022 held at St Finbarr Catholic Church in Jos, called on parents and guardians to pay attention to their wards and their counselor avoid criminal activity because security agencies have been mandated to be very tough on anyone who disturbs public peace and security.

“The government is taking serious action to put an end to these vices and anyone who gets caught will not be spared. Already, we have laws that prescribe very severe penalties for such crimes. Those who protect or collaborate with criminals will also be treated, ”he added.

Speaking on the crisis in the state, Lalong said his administration has adopted community policing to provide early warning, intelligence gathering and crime prevention using a bottom-up approach.

In his words, “Here on the Plateau, we have witnessed more than two decades of security challenges that have truncated sustainable peace and development. That’s why our Rescue Administration has made peace and security a top priority by investing time and resources in peacebuilding and crime prevention.

“We have established institutions such as the Peacebuilding Agency, the Interfaith Council and traditional institutions to rebuild a society based on peace, tolerance, dialogue and understanding.

He pointed out that his peacebuilding efforts over the past six years have yielded positive results, with most of the state’s citizens supporting efforts to engender peace and restore confidence in the state.

“We have educated our citizens to remember that our strength as a people lies in our diversity. What we must continue to do is to fight against the market, criminal and enemy of peace crises. We must never allow them to exploit religion, ethnicity, politics and other issues to divide us, ”he said.

Lalong added that his administration recently passed a law against kidnappings, violent crime and land grabbing, as well as an overhaul of Operation Rainbow.

According to him, his administration over the past five years has also provided logistical support to the armed forces to operate efficiently, adding that a few months ago they purchased and distributed many patrol vans and hundreds of Safety motorcycles to all state security agencies.

He appreciated the Plateau State Church for doing its best not only to support the security agencies through prayer and other means, but also to collaborate and cooperate with the government to find lasting solutions to insecurity in the state.