Another Three Killed as Plateau Promises Violence-free Council Polls

Governor Jonah Jang

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos


Frequent killings may have returned to Plateau State as a man and his two sons were on Tuesday night, feared killed in Gyel village in Jos South Local Government Area of the State.

The killing occurred on the heels of a reassurance by the state government to indigenes of a violence-free council polls slated for December 7.

Addressing journalists in his office, state Commissioner for Information, Pastor Abraham Yiljap, said: “The state government is committed towards free, fair, credible and violence-free elections in December,” adding that so many factors had been considered, and security agencies and independent teams had assessed the state and submitted that it was safe to go to the polls.

He added that no local government would be left out in the exercise.

“It will be all inclusive,” he promised.

Yiljap said: “The good works that the state governor, Jonah Jang, was doing at the state level, especially the massive infrastructural development being witnessed, should be replicated at the various councils, hence the need for democratically-elected leaders at that level."

He said government was not going to interfere whatsoever with the conduct of the election, adding that a lot had been done to reposition the state Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) to be able to deliver credible elections.

The commissioner stated that the commission was under duty to give the people credible elections.

He advised that in the event of any grievance or dissatisfaction with the process, the people should not take the law into their hands, but to seek justice in the law court.

On the recent resurgence of violent attacks in some communities in the state, Yiljap said: “Just last night (Tuesday night), a man and his two children were killed, and his wife injured and now recuperating in the hospital.”

He, however, said: “These are isolated criminal cases being dealt with; seven have been arrested so far, and security agencies are on the trail of the other criminals.”

Appealing to citizens not to panic, Yiljap advised them to increase their level of alertness, assuring them that: “We are not going back to those old days; government is determined to execute justice on those arrested.”

Police Assure Of Peaceful Eid-el-Fitr Celebrations In Plateau

Security operatives in Plateau state, north central Nigeria have issued stern warnings to miscreants and hoodlums planning to disrupt the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations as measures have been put in place to ensure a hitch free celebration.

Apart from visible and professional policing around the worship centres, the police also reinforced the issue of ban on motorcycle, parking of vehicles, trucks, wheelbarrows as well as carts within the area of various praying grounds and tourists centres.

The past experience whereby celebrations on the Plateau turned violence informed the state police command to invite religious and community leaders including youths to the Police Officers Mess for an interactive session on how to have a peaceful and hitch free Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.

Some of the security measures put in place include the increase in temporary check points during the festive period with intensified vehicular search at all checkpoints across the state.

Some of the religious leaders assured that this year’s celebration will be peaceful as adequate preparations have been put in place to checkmate any occurrence that might lead to violence.

The meeting also agreed that the use of fireworks, knockouts as well as burning of tyres during the festive period is not allowed while parents were enjoined to curb their wards from engaging in violent behaviour.

Meanwhile the Special Task-force on Jos crisis has dispelled rumors of impending attacks on worshipers during the forthcoming Eid-el-Fitr celebrations in Plateau State.

The media officer of the STF, Salisu Mustapha, in a press statement on Tuesday assured residents of a hitch free celebration, and warned that those found trying to foment trouble will be dealt with accordingly.

“The Special Task Force [operation safe heaven] would like to use this opportunity to dispel rumor of possible attack during the coming sallah,” Mr. Mustapha said assuring residents of tight security checks during and after the Eid-el-Fitr celebration in the state.

“The STF is reassuring the general public on its commitment to ensure hitch free sallah celebrations in the state. The Task-force wishes to reiterate that any individual or group of persons who are bent in fomenting trouble in the state have made themselves enemies of peace and would be treated as such.”

According to Mr. Mustapha, Muslims would be screened thoroughly before entering prayer grounds and “security agents would increase temporary checkpoints throughout the festive period.”

Mr. Mustapha said the “security committees of JNI and JIBWIS would search worshipers before granting them access into any prayer grounds.”

On the restriction of movement of persons and vehicles in and around public and recreational places during the celebration, the STF said that “security agents in conjunction with local security operatives at recreation centres would ensure proper search of visitors and enforce ban on fire arms at recreation centres.”