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Group Threatens to Set Plateau On Fire

This Day (Lagos)
NEWS
December 4, 2004
Posted to the web December 6, 2004

By Funmi Peter-Omale
Jos
The "Anambra Treatment" may soon be replicated in Plateau following threats by
a group of youths to set public buildings on fire in the state. In a swift
reaction, however, the state government has assured citizens of "adequate
security arrangement" to prevent breakdown of law and order.
Plateau Peace Movement for the Sustenance of Democracy, in the said document
dated 26th November 2004 and addressed to a prominent Senator from the state,
listed names of some Plateau indigenes who have been enlisted to take part in
the operation.
These "responsbilities" as contained in the document entitled "Proposal for the
Actualisation of the Responsibility and Situation Report on Meetings conducted
so far" and signed by the Chairman, one Barrister Selcap Solomon Dalung,
include: mobilising the state youth council to kick against government
policies, burning down of the J.D. Gomwalk building, NTA Jos, Plateau
Agricultural Development Board (PADB), and Primary Education Board, among
others.
While acknowledging the receipt of an initial amount of N2.8 million through a
female politician (name withheld), the group also solicited another financial
assistance totalling N11.5 million from the Senator. Dalung also solicited a
guarantee from the Senator to secure their release if they are arrested in the
course of carrying out their "responsibilities."
The group said the proposal was sequel to the meeting they had held with him
and some other top politicians from the state at Comfort Royal Hotel, Abuja.
In its reaction, the state government said security agencies have been directed
to investigate and authenticate the source of the publication.
Ezekiel Dalyop, Perma-nent Secretary, Press and Public Affairs, advised
citizens to go about "their normal activities as government has taken measures
to thwart attempts to destabilise the state." State Commissioner of Police,
Joseph Apapa, in an interview with THISDAY, also affirmed that his men had
swung into action to unravel the faces behind the publication.
He said that in other not to take anything for granted, armed policemen have
been deployed to guard and secure public buildings and other key areas.
Apapa said though arrests had not been made, he was confident that the combined
efforts of security agencies would yield the needed result in ascertaining the
people and motive of the publication.
"We are watching events and investigating. We are protecting public buildings
and vulnerable key areas.
State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Hon. Yakubu Dati,
however, attributed the latest development to a "part of orchestrated
blackmails which have now resulted into wanting to attack public places, having
failed in their other campaigns."
Dati stated that the content of the letter speaks for itself but he called on
security agencies not to treat the issue with kid gloves.
"This is being sponsored by anti-democratic forces but we know the people of
Plateau are determined to protect this democracy and maintain it within the
amist of the law. We want to call on those on the opposing side to respond to
the call by the governor to close ranks so as to have a virile, strong and
united Plateau State. His doors are wide open as he said in the broadcast and
he is willing to embrace everybody. The state is greater than anybody. Even if
we leave here today, the state will still be there. So we have to join hands to
make it great for generations unborn."
Another group, under the auspices of Re-engineering Youth Alliance, has also
cried out to federal and state security agencies to hold the Dalung group
responsible for any fresh breakdown of law and order in the state.
Solomon Wuyep, Kanam Local Government Chairman and 33 others, in a statement in
Jos, said it was unfortunate that some people were bent on opening old wounds
and truncating the hard-earned peace in the state" because of their selfish
ambitions and personal pride."
"Still fresh with grief over the recent gruesome killings that occured in some
parts of the state which led to the proclamation of the state of emergency, its
recent lifting on 17th November, which attracted the support of all well-
meaning Nigerians, and the firm resolve of Plateau people to unite and live in
peace with one another as expressed in the resolutions of the Peace Conference,
the group is bent on opening old wounds and to further open a diary of wrongs
that the good and peace loving people of Plateau State have long forgiven and
forgotten," it said.

   

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