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From Jude Owuamanam, Jos
Governors of the North Central region have expressed their willingness to unite and fight insurgency ravaging the region.
The governors also donated N100 million to victims of the Christmas Eve massacre in Plateau State.
Daily Sun had reported that no fewer than 195 people were killed when gunmen between December 23 to 26, in a coordinated attack, ransacked Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu local government areas of Plateau State.
The governors of Benue, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, his Nasarawa State counterpart, Abdullahi Sule and that of Niger State, Mohammed Umar Bago, were in Government House to condole with Caleb Mutfwang on the unfortunate event.
Speaking during the visit, Alia has said nothing short of a united front by the people of the region could defeat terrorists who are disrupting the peace of the North-Central states.
Alia stated that since the problem of incessant unprovoked attacks on farming communities has become common in the four states, there is every need for a united strategy, willpower and to check the borders to checkmate the menace.
Governor Sule, who is the Chairman, North-Central Governor’s Forum, stated that those who attack innocent people and kill indiscriminately are terrorists and must be treated as such. Sule conveyed condolences for the Christmas Eve attacks, describing Plateau as a true home for Nigerians. He stressed the need to identify the root cause of the issue for a lasting solution, expressing confidence in Governor Mutfwang’s ability to address it with wisdom and courage.
He characterised the incident as pure terrorism, urging the deployment of technology to identify perpetrators and curb their operations in the North Central. He emphasised the collective responsibility of all Nigerians in addressing the challenge. He announced a donation of N100 million from the four governors from the region to the families and the affected communities.
On his part, Bago of Niger State condemned the heinous act and called for unity to safeguard the common destiny of the North Central people. They encouraged investment in agriculture to harness the region’s abundant natural resources.
Responding, the host governor, Mutfwang expressed appreciation to his brother governors for coming to commiserate with him. He regretted that his colleague’s visits to him are always to grief, a development he described as unfortunate, adding that he would like to see where the entire country will converge on the Plateau for celebrations, but not mourning.
Mutfwang reaffirmed his dedication to collaborating with fellow North Central governors to promote peace, unity, and substantial development in the region. He emphasised the North Central’s significance as a cohesive force in the nation and highlighted the region’s abundant natural resources, stating their potential benefits for the entire nation.
The governor called for united efforts to combat armed banditry, terrorism, and criminal activities prevalent in the region. Condemning the recent acts of terrorism in Plateau, he appealed to the Federal Government for assistance in dualising the Wamba-Panyam and Akwanga-Jos roads, crucial gateways for security operations in the North East.
Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, appreciated the governors’ unity and urged them to focus on the region’s mineral resources for the prosperity of its people. The delegation from the three states, comprising top government officials, religious leaders, and traditional rulers, among others.
