Stop blame game over Plateau killings - Lalong urges Nigerians

macfranc007 July 06, 2018 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Naija news 24/7 Wale Akinola

- Governor Simon Lalong has urged Nigerians to stop blame game over recent Plateau killings

- He said that people must be united to end the menace

- Suspected herdsmen had recently killed over 120 people in Plateau state

Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau state has urged citizens to stop apportioning blames regarding the recent spate of violence in the state, which led to the death of several persons.

Premium Times reports that Lalong said instead of throwing blames, all concerned must come together to end the menace.

NAIJ.com gathered that the governor made the call on Thursday, July 5, while speaking to journalists after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

“We are all concerned about the killings. I will not say Plateau’s case is exceptional but it is the current one that is bringing everybody together.

“This issue of killings must stop. Even yesterday when I organised prayers for the repose of the souls of those who died in the recent crisis, I told those who attended that it is no longer time for blame games. Rather, it is time for us to be united and chase out the evil.

“If we don’t do that we will continue to blame each other and those who are the perpetrators will continue to be laughing,” he said.

Renewed violence between farmers and herders in Barikin Ladi, Riyom and Jos south local governments areas led to the death of over 100 persons.

Lalong said what is needed is for all those involved to be punished.

“No governor will sit down and encourage or allow crisis. Even by omission, if you see it, you must address it squarely,” he said.

Lalong said the issue of land grabbing is not the main cause of the crisis.

He also said he would sign some amended laws of the state next week.

“I don’t think land grabbing is the main reason behind the crisis. But of course, anywhere people are chased away, government must make arrangements to rehabilitate and bring them to their place.

“So if the purpose of some people is to take the land, government should discourage that. So in my state, there will be no room for land grabbing and we have punitive measures in place to check the crisis.

PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigeria’s #1 news app

“For instance, we were already in the process of amending some of our laws but with this last crisis that happened, I fast tracked the process and by next week, I will be signing the laws,” he said.

Meanwhile, NAIJ.com had previously reported that the Kebbi government said that it would immortalise two of its indigene, namely, Zayyanu Gwandu and Zayyanu Shalla, who were victims of the recent Jos killings that took place on June 24.

Nigeria Killings: 'Charly Boy' and Other Activists March to Aso Rock in Protest | - on NAIJ.com TV