By Egena Obaike Odihue
President Bola Tinubu has charged the Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, to summon the necessary political will with a view to resolving the lingering attacks and killings in the state.
The President’s admonition came on the heels of repeated attacks by gunmen on several communities in the state causing deaths and destruction.
Reports have suggested that no fewer than 47 persons were killed by the marauding gunmen on Sunday night in Miango area of the state.
In a statement on Monday, President Tinubu expressed sorrow over the bloodshed, strongly condemning the heinous crime.
Tinubu called for harmony and urged religious and political leaders to unite and end the cycle of retaliatory attacks which have made life unbearable for the ordinary citizens.
The statement by the signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, quoted Tinubu to have said:
“The ongoing violence between communities in Plateau State, rooted in misunderstandings between different ethnic and religious groups, must cease,” President Tinubu asserts.
“I have instructed security agencies to thoroughly investigate this crisis and identify those responsible for orchestrating these violent acts. We cannot allow this devastation and the tit-for-tat attacks to continue. Enough is enough.
“Beyond dealing with the criminal elements of these incessant killings, the political leadership in Plateau State, led by Governor Caleb Mutfwang, must address the root cause of this age-long problem. These problems have been with us for more than two decades. We can no longer ignore the underlying issues. It is time to tackle them fairly and find a lasting solution. I have discussed these problems with the governor over time and offered suggestions for lasting peace.
“The Federal Government remains committed to supporting Governor Mutfwang and the Plateau State government in promoting dialogue, fostering social cohesion, and ensuring accountability—crucial steps towards permanently resolving the conflict in Plateau”.
