Renewed Plateau violence inexcusable – Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, yesterday evening arrived Jos, the Plateau state capital, to asses situation in the state, following the renewed violence that claimed over 80 lives and properties worth millions of naira.
Vice President Osinbajo, said at the commencement of a closed door meeting with stakeholders and leaders of Berom and Fulani communities, said the resurgence of violence in Plateau state was, “inexcusable.” He added that the state, had in the last three years been used as a model of how other communities could live together peacefully, and that everything possible must be done to ensure that the crisis does not degenerate into religious violence, adding that, “nobody can survive a religious war.” Osinbajo, described as unfortunate that the social media was besieged with all sorts of true and untrue stories that could escalate the situation. In his own remarks, Governor Simon Lalong expressed disappointment that the Berom and Fulani communities could go violent, especially that the two of them were instrumental to the drafting of the road map to peace document.
The closed door meeting was still on as at 9:00pm, when this report was filed.
In a related but separate development, Governor Lalong, in a broadcast to people of the state, cautioned against deliberate attempt to politicise the crisis and giving it religious colouration, fake news, deliberate distortions and misinformation.
He said the pockets of violent attacks on some communities has unfortunately led to loss of lives and properties.
“The resurgence of violence in the state is reprehensible, as much as condemnable.
Yet, this is a stark reminder of the magnitude of peace and security challenges steering at us in the face,” he said.
Lalong said, “..my administration has placed a high premium on peace, security and good governance, being the first item on our five-pillar policy thrusts,” and, “regardless of the threats we face today, we remain resolute in our commitment to arrest the vicious circle of violence and lay the foundation for sustainable peace.” Lalong expressed regrets that with the renewed episode of violence after about three years of some stability in terms of peace and security, the state is yet again faced with a risk of a relapse. “Accordingly, the government has taken decisive steps to reinforce security, particularly in communities prone to attacks, and in the same vein is working to tackle the underlying causes of conflict,” he assured.
The governor urged all and sundry to exercise restraint, observe the curfew currently in place, while traditional rulers, religious leaders, elders, political leaders, community leaders and their subjects remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies that are monitoring the situations and helping to keep the peace.
“Let me, however, strongly caution against the deliberate attempt to politicise the crisis and giving it religious colouration, fake news, deliberate distortions and misinformation,” he said.
“Government through the appropriate security agencies will not hesitate to deal decisively with any trouble maker or peace spoiler that is determined to test the resolve of government.” NAF deploys combat helicopter Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force has deployed a Mi-35P combat helicopter and an Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft to Plateau state.
NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, disclosed this yesterday in a statement in Abuja.
He said, “the deployment of the ISR aircraft is expected to enhance intelligence gathering while the combat helicopter will conduct armed reconnaissance and other combat air support operations.
“Meanwhile, other NAF air assets are available at nearby alternate airfields to hasten the process of restoring normalcy in the state, as might be necessary,’’ he said.
The exercise, according to Adesanya, was in close coordination with surface forces deployed to the state.