Following the spate of attacks, kidnapping, killings, destruction of farm crops and livestock as well as other criminal activities, the Plateau State Interreligious Council (IRC) held an emergency peace and security meeting to discuss better ways to address the rising insecurity and how to achieve lasting peace in the State.

The meeting which was at the instance of the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Rt. Hon. Simon Lalong brought together religious leaders who are working across religious lines to foster unity, peace, genuine forgiveness and beneficial reconciliation through interfaith dialogue.

In his remarks, Gov. Lalong who was represented by the Secretary of the State, Prof. Danladi Atu said his administration will continue to place a high premium on peace and security.
He decried how criminal elements are taking the State and destroying the peace gained.
He said the government will continue to deploy the non-kinetic approach to issues of peace and security and ensure that people in the State carry out their legitimate activities peacefully.

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He said government has taken the bold step to fully enforce the ban on motorcycle operations with Jos/Bukuru Metropolis and regulate the operation period for tricycles popularly known as “Keke NAPEP” to 7pm in order to curb the security challenges and other criminal activities bedeviling the State.

The Chairman of the Plateau State Interreligious Council (IRC), Rev. Prof. Pandang Yamsat decried the escalating insecurity challenges saying deliberate actions on the part of the Citizens, government, religious Leaders and communities are needed to arrest the rising trend of insecurity.

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“The insecurity is getting worse by the day, for it is consuming the big, the poor in villages and the rich and the religious Leaders of any faith affiliation”

“Farmlands, crops and livestock, wanton killings of sacred lives are on the increase, with its bandwagon effects on the socio-economic lives of the people is one that calls for concerted efforts by all of us”

“Announced or not announced, we are in a state of war that is sparing no one, which demands that government, religious leaders and our security outfits and communities must rise up to checkmate the devastating situation. It is not beyond us” Rev. Yamsat said.

Rev. Yamsat said government must hold security outfits and community and traditional Leaders accountable for the destruction of lives and property in their communities.

The Director General of the Plateau Peace Building Agency, Mr. Joseph Lengmang said the growing insecurity has given serious concern to stakeholders and necessitated the emergency meeting to proffer ways to achieve peace.
He said the ICR which was constituted and inaugurated by the Governor comprised of persons with gravity and greater influence in the various faiths which underscored the commitment to peaceful coexistence and harmonious living.

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He disclosed that the Council is to respond to emerging trend of conflict and violence as well as attacks and counterattack in order to achieve peace.

He further stressed that religious leaders have significant roles to play in influencing their followers positively and said it is important that the outcomes and resolutions of the meeting are taken to the grassroot.

He hinted that there is need for the people to work for peace and to break the conflict traps and step into a new social compact that will herald an era of peace.

A communique is expected at the end of the deliberation and interactive session.

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Plateau State Interreligious Council Brainstorms on Ways to Address Rising Insecurity