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Plateau Police Warn Against Violent Demonstrations

This Day (Lagos)
NEWS
October 28, 2004
Posted to the web October 28, 2004

By Funmi Peter-Omale
Jos
Following rumours of impending violent demonstrations by some concerned groups
over the recent pronouncement of the state government on the resolutions and
recommendations of the recently concluded Plateau Peace Conference, the police
command has warned that it would leave no stone unturned in dealing and
prosecuting persons or groups planning to perpetuate the break down of law and
order in the state.
Two days ago, secretary to the state government, John Gobak revealed the
government's readiness to immediately enforce 23 of the resolutions passed at
the conference.
Among others, the document which was made available to newsmen said Jos
belonged to three indigenous tribes of Afizere, Anaguta and Berom.
The issue of who are the rightful owners of Jos has been a thorny issue for
several decades and several lives have been lost in attendant communal clashes
that have trailed claims and counter claims.
Other thorny resolutions as contained in the document which was personally
signed by the state administrator, Maj. Gen Chris Alli (rtd) include the
ownership of Wase and Shendam local government areas.
According to the document, though Wase Township is under a Fulani dynasty
established by way of conquest, the Taroh and Jukun people are also indigenes
of Wase local government.
On the issue of Yelwa and Yamani towns which were torn apart in the May mayhem,
government acceded to the conference "conclusion that they are indeed Goemai
lands and that names of places that were changed at the height of the crises be
reverted to their original names.
In a press statement issued in Jos and signed by the State Police Public
Relations Officer, Isa Adejoh, the command reminded that the Emergency Powers
Law were still in force saying that law enforcement agencies would not fold its
arms and watch anybody breach the hard earned peace in the state. "Any person
or group of persons arrested will be dealt with decisively and prosecuted in
accordance with the provision of the law."
Meanwhile, the Jos North Local Government Transition Committee Chairman, Dr.
Danladi Atu was yesterday morning picked up by security operatives and whisked
to the Government House, Rayfield, Jos.

   

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