Herdsmen: Angry Villagers Attack Plateau Governor With Stones, Rods And Other Weapons

Posted by Thandiubani on Sun 15th Jul, 2018 - tori.ng

The Plateau state government has reacted after the Governor, Simon Lalong was attacked by angry villagers while leaving an IDP camp.

Simon Lalong

Angry villagers displaced by herdsmen have attacked the Governor of Plateau state, Simon Lalong. The incident happened on Saturday while he was leaving an IDP camp in Jos.

Recall that herdsmen have been on the prowl murdering innocent villagers in the state. Victims of the killings believe that the government is not doing enough to safeguard the lives of the people.

It is believed the attack is a way to show displeasure over the killings in the state.

Reacting, the the Plateau Government condemned the attack on the Governor and his convoy.

A statement signed by Commissioner for Information and Communication Mr Yakubu Dati on Sunday said that the hoodlums were acting the script of their sponsors.

The statement said that the hoodlums laid ambush on the highway and attacked the Governor‘s convoy with stones, rods and other unidentified objects.

“They damaged vehicles in the convoy including those belonging to the press corp, security and relief agencies.

“The attack is coming at the heels of a similar invasion on the Plateau State Government House about two weeks ago, where Government properties, vehicles of civil servants and visitors running into millions of naira were destroyed.

“Government finds it regrettable that while its efforts at restoring peace is yielding results, certain unpatriotic elements are bent on returning our state to the sad era of blood letting by instigating religious and ethnic hatred, for cheap political gains,” it said.

According to the statement, government views the attacks as an affront on the authority and would take appropriate measures to checkmate merchants of division and death.

Lalong in the statement assured citizens that government would not relent in ensuring that the safety of citizens was guaranteed and the relative peace sustained.

“The Governor also wishes to thank the security agencies for professionally carrying out their duties with restrain in the face of extreme provocation.

“The IDPs must not allow those who do not wish them well to use their misfortune for ulterior motives.

“We call on parents, religious and community leaders to counsel their children/members not to become willing tools in the hands of conflict merchants.

“Government has set machinery in motion to fish out and bring to justice all those conniving to present the state as unsafe by sowing the seed of discord among the good people of Plateau,” it added.