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Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong
The Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong yesterday met with President Buhari over the suspension of the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), David Parradang.
David Parradang was suspended last Friday and directed to handover to the Deputy Comptroller-General, Martin Abeshi. The suspended Immigration boss, who was seen at the Presidential Villa in company of the governor, however, kept away from reporters.
When Lalong was briefing reporters, Parradang, who wore a blue kaftan, hid in the aides-de-camp waiting room, close to the President’s office where he waited for the governor.
Addressing State House correspondents after meeting President Buhari, Lalong said although investigations into the issues that led to the suspension of the Immigration boss had begun, it was necessary for him to show concern and that was why he visited the President.
He said: “I came to see the President on some issues affecting my state.
“I feel comfortable with the response I got and this is why I am smiling. I told him what we are doing on insecurity.
“I also came because of the suspension of the comptroller-general of Immigration, who incidentally is from my state. When you have issues as this in a political period, you must find ways of looking for reasons. If anything affects any part of your body, you must show concern.”
Lalong added: “Paradang’s case is still under investigation. A man was suspended and he is from Plateau State. It is my concern because I’m the governor. For every appointment, we must show concern, no matter how small.
“The President is handling it. At the end of the day, whatever is the outcome, I will agree with it. But I also need to get some explanations as the governor.”
On insecurity, the governor said: “There are pockets of crises in Jos, especially between the Fulani and the Berom.
“Because of this, I set up a 13-man committee and I put credible people in the committee. While the committee was still sitting, crisis erupted again in some parts of that area.
“We still have cases of cattle rustling and farm destruction in the southern part. But in the last one week, we have taken good measures. Security agencies are working well in terms of arrest.”