Plateau attacks: Onoja urges review of tactical operations by security agencies

From Jude Dangwam, Jos

The former Military Governor of Plateau State, General Lawrence Onoja has called for the review of tactical operations by security agencies in Plateau State and other Middle Belt states to end the circle of killings in the region.

He noted that Plateau State, among other Middle Belt States in the country, has continued to suffer from injustice and operations by bandits, a situation that requires regular review of the operational tactics used by security agencies by being more proactive in handling the attacks, using intelligence and early warning indications.

Onoja stated this during the interdenominational thanksgiving service over the validation of the election of Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang as the Executive Governor of Plateau State by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

“For it is in unity of purpose that our resistance and defeat of the enemy will be more effectively achieved. I also want to take this opportunity to appeal to my constituency the security agencies to regularly review their operational tactics as well as being more proactive in handling these attacks using intelligence and early warning indications,” he appealed.

The former military governor described the validation of Governor Mutfwang’s election by the Supreme Court as a victory for democracy and justice.

“That verdict is victory for democracy, for Plateau people, and for the cause of justice. Also, as you know, Plateau State is my second home, as long as I live, I will continue to identify with the people of Plateau; and I’m sure Plateau will continue to identify with me.

“You know that Plateau, like my state, Benue, and other states of Nigeria’s Middle Belt, has suffered cases of injustice and from the hands of these evil attackers, but God has always protected us,” he noted.

The ex-military officer expressed happiness for seeing the returns of peace in Plateau State in oneness and love, and prayed that it should be sustained. The former governor maintained that he is optimistic of the growth of Plateau State in the coming years after the tenure of the governor in office.

“I’m very convinced that in the next eight years after this governor, after he finished his two terms in office, I am confident that Plateau will almost be better than Dubai. Whenever God intervenes in a situation such as the battle the governor overcomes, it calls for thanksgiving to God.

I pray that the thanksgiving will foster a greater sense of unity of all Plateau people and good neighbours across ethnic religious and cultural divides, henceforth, and wish the state well.”

The former governor of Adamawa State, Boni Haruna, recalled his experience as the first elected governor in Nigeria whose election was nullified by an election petition tribunal, adding that the experience was unimaginable.

“I was the first governor whose election was annulled by a tribunal, and that was 20 years ago. If you know what it means for somebody to occupy the office of governor even if it’s for one day, and then suddenly you are told that you are no longer a governor, you will know what your governor was going through. It’s unimaginable. It is painful; there is no word to describe the situation such a person goes through, and I’m telling you this from my personal experience,” he stated.

The former governor called on citizens of Plateau State to continue to support the Mutfwang’s administration to succeed, while charging the governor not to disappoint the people of the state.