Plateau Kilings: Gov. Lalong inaugurates committee to return IDPS to original abodes 

By Golok Nanmwa ,Jos

Disturbed by the plight of the Internal Displaced Persons IDPS  in Plateau State, the State government has inaugurated a Committee for their return to their places of original abodes and warned that the government will not tolerate indiscriminate occupation of lands by any group in the name of land grabbing.

It would be recalled that over 35,000 persons were displaced and more than 200 people killed recently in Barakin-Ladi  and other local government areas in the state. Also, there is a complain of illegal occupation and destruction of farm lands by people suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.

Speaking shortly before the inauguration, Secretary to the State Government Hon. Rufus Bature observed with dismay the indiscriminate occupation of land as a result of the attacks in Barakin-ladi, Riyom, Mangu, Jos South, Jos North and Bokkos local government areas of the state adding that there were also reported cases of farm lands being destroyed and in some cases crops harvested.

The Secretary to the State Government who said the government will not condone such atrocity warned that the administration will deal decisively with any group of people engaging in such act.

He tasked members of the Committee to put in their best in reaching workable recommendations that will enhance the resettlement of the Internal Displaced Persons back to their places of abode.

“With the inauguration of this committee, Government wishes to assure all citizens that it is alert to its responsibilities. We want to re-affirm the determination of this administration in sustaining peace and security in the state, as without peace meaning development cannot take place” he said.

The Committee has the following as members, Air Vice Marshal Bala Dababa (rtd) as Chairman, CP Patrick Garba (rtd), Alhaji Saleh Bayari, Da. Christopher Gwom,  Acting Executive Secretary of State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Reverend Yakubu Pam and Abus Ibrahim Izang.

According to him, the terms of reference include; to identify the areas affected, to identify those displaced and areas they were displaced from, to ascertain the number of people affected and displaced. To identify those who have annexed the destroyed villages  and to work out modality for their effective return of the affected persons to their original places of abodes.

Responding, the Chairman of the Committee, Air Vice Marshall Bala Danbaba (rtd) said the assignment of the Committee was not what anyone will want to do considering the circumstances surrounding it but assured that the committee will carry out the assignment with all sense of responsibility to ensure that those displaced return to their original abodes within a short period of time.

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Plateau Kilings: Gov. Lalong inaugurates committee to return IDPS to original abodes