From: Gyang Bere, Jos
Religious and Community leaders in Plateau State have raised the alarm over the adoption and killing of innocent persons by suspected cultist gangs and kidnappers in urban and rural communities in the state.
Daily Sun gathered that three persons were adopted and killed by a group of suspected kidnappers in February in Mangu, while a nursing mother was kidnapped in her Kwang resident in Jos South local government area of the state.
Also, four persons were adopted in January and killed by a group of armed bandit in Wase local government area of the state, which prompted investigation by community leaders, made up of Tarok, Hausa and Jukun , which led to the apprehension of the suspects.
The religious and ethnic/community leaders in a communique after a meeting held at Dialogue Reconciliation and Peace Centre Kwang, and signed by Archbishop of Jos, Ignatius Kaigama for Religious leaders and Oba Solomon Olugboni for community leaders urged security agencies to be proactive in protecting lives and properties.
“We condemn strongly the growing cases of armed robbery, drugs abuse and substance abuse, cultism and kidnapping within some parts of Jos town, such as Apata, Farin-Gada, Rukuba Road, Gada Biyu, Museum and West of Mines area. We call on security agencies to be proactive in fighting the menace to secure our communities.
“We wish to bring to the attention of Plateau State Government and its agencies the plight of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) that have been urged to return to their communities in Ropp and Gas his, but effort to rebuild their homes are thwarted as materials gathered for reconstruction are destroyed mostly at night.
The communique urged communities to be vigilant and security conscious about their neighbourhood and what their neighbours do for living and caution Plateau residents to be on alert over the crisis in Southern Kaduna due to it’s proximity with the state.
“We commend the proactive response of the state Government in refuting the rumour that the Fulani groups are planning to launch attacks on innocent citizens in the state. We wish to caution citizens from spreading unfounded rumour and reckless use of social media that could incite and destroy the peaceful coexistence being enjoyed in the state.”