Vice President Yemi Osibanjo on Monday visited Plateau State with assurances that the Federal Government will arrest and punish perpetrators of the violent attacks that left scores of people dead in the State.
This is even as the Nigeria Police reported that 86 persons were killed, many injured and over 50 houses razed during the attacks on nine communities spread over three local government areas in the last three days.
Professor Osibanjo, in the state to assess the situation and engage leaders in the state over the killings, assured that perpetrators would face the full wrath of the law for their heinous crime.
He said relevant authorities have deployed Special Forces to restore peace and ensure normalcy returns to the state.
“The Inspector General of Police has deployed more personnel to Plateau and the Chief of Defence Staff has announced this morning that Special Forces will be deployed to Plateau.
“The Special Forces would complement the Operation Safe Haven’s effort that has been keeping peace in the state,” the Vice President said.
According to Vice President Osinbajo, who expressed sadness over the unfortunate development, “The president has said in his statement that whatever it takes, those that committed the heinous crime will not only be arrested but made to publicly face justice.”
He said that the Federal Government was taken aback because in the last three years, Plateau had become an example of how to restore peace.
The Vice President however urged all leaders to show restraint in what they say and do, even as he pleaded with them to avoid things that would worsen the situation and made matters to spiral out of control.
In his address to the Plateau people, Governor Simon Lalong, condoled with the families of those who lost loved ones and property in the unfortunate incident
Governor Lalong said the State government was particularly disturbed and unhappy with the development because both the Beroms and Fulanis signed a pact and made some recommendations on how to stay and live together.
He said it is sad that these criminally motivated killings reared their ugly head despite government’s efforts at working on some of the recommendations so that they are passed into law soon.
The Governor commended the Federal Government for the prompt intervention and expressed optimism that the development would help restore peace in the state
On Monday, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin ordered the immediate deployment of additional Special Forces to Plateau State to beef up the strength of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), which is being manned by the Nigerian Armed Forces
