Lalong appeals for tolerance, peaceful co-existence, Says he would never allow anybody to target its citizens

By Golok Nanmwa,Jos

Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State yesterday appeal for tolerance, forgiveness and peaceful coexistence among the people of the state saying Plateau has emerged from the ashes of violence that engulfed the state some years back.

He however said as a government, he will never allow anybody to target its citizens or threaten them simply because they are Christians or adherents of other faiths. Even if they have no religion, they have the God-given right to existence and should not be threatened by anybody.

In his words “Being a citizen of Plateau State is not a crime.
According to him, some of the issues were given religious colouration and deepened sentiments that polarized the state more, adding that they need to be careful not to allow the gains that was recorded be in vein. .

Governor Lalong stated this in his remark at the investiititure for reciepients of Papal Knights of St. Gregory the Great KSGG, Knights of St Sylvester KSS and Papal medal lists held at the Divine Mercy Cathedral Lamingo Jos said People have been rebuilding confidence in the State and returning to invest and settle here adding that there is need to do all that is within our power to create an atmosphere of peace for development to take place.

  In his words "                People have been rebuilding confidence in our State and returning to invest and settle here. We have to do all that is within our power to create an atmosphere of peace for development to take place."

” Similarly, the unfortunate developments relating to kidnappings and executions that have affected some of our citizens in the North East recently have been matters of great concern, We are still mourning the latest ugly incident where a Student of the University of Maiduguri, Mr. Ropyil Daciya Dalep was murdered by terrorists calling themselves ISWAP.

    Our sympathies go to the family of the deceased and all other faithful departed. We pray that the Lord will comfort them and indeed all of us over this tragedy.

” Barely a week earlier, we had rejoiced over the rescue of another daughter of ours, Jennifer Ukambong Samuel who was equally kidnapped by the terrorists.”

” Although those who are involved in this heinous crime input religion as their motive and try to justify their evil acts as revenge on Christians or Citizens of Plateau State, we know from their antecedents that they are simply criminals who have sold themselves to evil and are bent on dividing us.”
” As painful as these issue are, I will like to appeal to all of us to unite in condemning their actions and also refusing to buy into their ploy to trigger hatred based on religion or State of origin.”

” Let me assure you that we are working with the President and security agencies to ensure that these incidences are addressed and our citizens under captivity by terrorists, kidnappers, bandits or any other criminals are released.”

” I appeal to us all to be vigilant, prayerful and guard our communities against merchants of evil who always want to exploit religion, tribe and politics for their crimes. Peace is all we need and we must continue working for it.”

” We should equally exercise retrain in responding to these sad developments so as not to inflame the situation and escalate it to unfortunate violent levels.”

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Lalong appeals for tolerance, peaceful co-existence, Says he would never allow anybody to target its citizens