Attack on Lalong’s convoy, affront on Plateau authority – Govt

Plateau state government has described the attacks on the convey of Governor Simon Lalong as affront on the state authority.
The government stated this in a press statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Yakubu Dati, posted on the WattsApp platform of the ministry.
“The Plateau state government hereby condemns in very strong terms the attack on the convoy of His Excellency, Rt.Hon. Simon Lalong, the Executive Governor of Plateau state by some hoodlums shortly after leaving an IDP camp at Anguldi, Jos South local government area of the state,” it said.
The statement said the hoodlums, acting on the script of their sponsors, laid ambush on the highway and attacked the governor’s convoy with stones, rods and other unidentified objects, damaging vehicles in the convoy, including those belonging to the press corps, security and relief agencies.
“The attack is coming at the heels of a similar invasion on the Plateau state Government House about two weeks ago, where government properties, vehicles of civil servants and visitors to the Government House running into millions of naira were destroyed,” it stressed.
It further said, “government finds it regrettable that while its efforts at restoring peace is yielding results, certain unpatriotic elements are bent on returning our state to the sad era of blood-letting by instigating religious and ethnic hatred, for cheap political gains.
“The government views these attacks as affront on the authority of the state and will therefore take appropriate measures to checkmate merchants of division and death,” it added.
It said the state governor wishes to assure citizens that government will not relent in ensuring that the safety of citizens is guaranteed and the relative peace sustained.
“The governor also wishes to thank the Security Agencies for professionally carrying out their duties with restrain even in the face of extreme provocation,” it said.
The statement said: “The IDPs must not allow those who do not wish them well to use their misfortune for ulterior motives.
“We call on parents, religious and community leaders to counsel their children/members not to become willing tools in the hands of conflict merchants.
“Government has set machinery in motion to fish out and bring to justice all those conniving to present the state as unsafe by sowing the seed of discord among the good people of Plateau state.”

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