Plateau Attacks: Preach messages of unity – Peace Agency to religious, traditional leaders

Sequel to the recent security challenges that have bedeviled some communities in Plateau State, the Plateau Peace Building Agency, PPBA, has called on religious and traditional leaders to ensure that they preach messages that will unite the citizenry rather than divide them.

The PPBA also urged them to check the influx of people with questionable character into their domains.

This was disclosed by the Director General of the Agency, Ms Julie G. Sanda, in Jos the State Capital.

She said, “In the last few months, communities in Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Riyom and Mangu LGAs have come under deadly nocturnal attacks by yet to be identified gunmen.

“These orchestrated attacks have left scores of people dead especially vulnerable groups like women, children and the aged, while property worth millions of Naira destroyed.

“Sadly, this wave of high-intensity violent attacks on hapless citizens since April 2023 constitutes a clog in the wheel of our collective progress”, she explained.

“The PPBA is most pained by this ugly incident because it appears that the forces of evil have risen against the people of the state.

“But, these renewed attacks on our communities should neither deter nor discourage us from finding enduring solutions to the issues at stake”, Sanda admonished.

“If for anything, these renewed onslaughts on our people should spur us to galvanize our resolve, now more than ever before, to build safe, secure and peaceful communities across the state.

“All hands must be on deck in the fight against this common monster”, the DG maintained.

“We therefore sue for calm and restraint from all and sundry even in the face of provocation and urge relevant security agencies to go after these killers with a view to arresting and prosecuting them so as to serve as deterrent to those who may be contemplating carrying out such heinous crime in the future.

“PPBA calls on religious and traditional leaders to be alive to their responsibilities at such trying moments by preaching messages that will unite rather than divide us and; checking the influx of persons with questionable character into their domains, respectively.

“This is a time to see something, say something and act accordingly because a stitch in time saves nine.

“Indeed, as a people, we must understand and appreciate the fact that this persistent violence is an ill-wind that blows no one any good because there is no alternative to peace and peaceful coexistence.

“The PPBA is committed now more than ever before to the ongoing peace processes and will continue to engage with critical stakeholders across various divides in order to address the recurring violence while, making efforts to rebuild trust and confidence amongst the diverse ethno-religious groups across Plateau State and beyond that would ultimately lead to genuine reconciliation and healing.

The PPBA called on all citizens to join hands with the agency and other such organisations to build a state that will be at peace with itself and the rest of the world.

The Agency commiserates with those who lost loved ones and property as a result of these attacks and the entire peace-loving people of the state over the unfortunate occurrences.