TheCable

Simon Lalong, governor of Plateau, has asked security agencies to be ruthless with criminals killing innocent citizens and destroying properties in the state.

On Saturday, gunmen reportedly killed seven persons and razed over 250 houses in some communities in Miango chiefdom of Bassa LGA of the state.

“The attack, which lasted for over four hours unhindered, left over 250 houses razed down in Zanwra, Nche-Tahu, Rikwe-Rishe A and B, Ri-Dogo, Nchu-Nzhwa, all in Jebbu-Miango communities of Miango chiefdom,” the Iregwe development association (IDA) had said in a statement.

Speaking on Monday during the opening of the 2021 inter brigades warrant officers and senior non-commissioned officers competition in Jos, Lalong bemoaned the spate of killings and destruction of homes and farmlands in the state.

The Plateau governor, who was represented by Danladi Atu, secretary to the state government, described the destruction of farmlands as “food terrorism”.

“The reported killings in Bassa, Barikin Ladi, Riyom and Jos North Local Government Areas have become worrisome and persistent, even up till yesterday where many houses were destroyed and some people killed,” NAN quoted him as saying.

“We have witnessed the willful and carefully-planned destruction of crops in some areas of the state by criminals. These acts of provocation are no doubt aimed at taking us back to the days of violence and bloodshed.

“Also, the action of these criminals is nothing but food terrorism that wants to starve our people at all costs. This must stop and I have directed the security agencies to be ruthless with these criminals.

“Let me assure the citizens that our administration will never fold its arms to see a few criminals take this state back to those dark days of pain and sorrow. We are working with the security agencies to fish out those responsible and ensure that they are punished.

“No matter how long it takes and how far they run or hide, they will be identified, arrested and prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others.”

Earlier, Williams Dangana, commander of the 3 division in Rukuba, who represented Ibrahim Ali, general officer commanding (GOC) of the division, said the competition was designed to foster esprit-de-corps, regimentation, as well as enhance leadership qualities and physical fitness of troops.

“As you are all aware, competition is an aspect of training which is considered the best welfare that can be given to a soldier, because it speaks to his competence and ultimately keeps him alive in battle,” he said.