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POH chairman, Hon. Alex Kwapnoe
By Raymond Gukas, Jos
An urgent call has been put across to northern governors to quickly evolve ways in tackling the security issues in the region as schools have become targets of attacks.
Making the call in a press release, the Plateau Our Heritage, (POH), group said it was worried that nothing tangible was being done on the security situation which will definitely discourage schools in an already disadvantaged region.
The release signed by Hon.Alex Kwapnoe, Chairman; Comrade Friday Bako, Secretary and Dr. Plansat Dayil; Asst Secretary, the group noted that stories from Kaduna, Benue, Borno, Niger, zamfara and now Plateau who have become hotspots target was disturbing.
It said, “we wish to commend the government of Plateau state for approving the purchase of patrol vehicles for security agencies in the state and urge that these vehicles and motorcycles would be supplied promptly in view of the precarious security situations around the country.
“This efforts by the state is coming at a time the group is expressing it’s worries over the insecurity issues facing Plateau and the entire northern Nigeria in particular and call on His Excellency Barr, Dr, Chairman NGF, governor Simon Bako Lalong and his colleagues to brace up to the issues”, it stressed.
Further, the group alerted that there have been suspected attempts on schools in the state (Plateau) “that have threatened smooth academic activities with about 15 students of the Solomon Lar University, Bokkos rescued recently. As if that was not enough, two students of the Calvary International Ministry, Popularly known as CAPRO in neighbouring Bokkos; Barkin Ladi Local government area where reportedly abducted by unknown gunmen.
“While we suggest that the education and security sectors be declared an emergency, we also make bold to state that our situation on the Plateau should not be treated with kid gloves either if we must assure and give our people a sense of belonging”
Only recently, the POH had joined other well meaning citizens to condemn the influx of strange herders into the Pandam Game Reserve and the group is worried that the administration is showing signs that it can’t manage the situation of the reserve and is ready to let go of part of our proud heritage to the FG, with fervent call for federalism currently trending, it gives us very serious cause for concern.
According to it, ” we believe the state government has the capacity to manage this reserve considering its potentials if it uses its tax avenues properly and not to “dash” the reserve to the federal government who would be at liberty to decide what goes on there. As it is that large and blessed expanse of land is being inhabited by strang persons, said to be looting, raping and kidnapping the locals.
“The POH is further disturbed that if truly a state of tourism like Plateau can begin to surrender such great tourism structures because it is “overwhelmed ” with the seeming atrocities of suspected marauding bandits, then urgent steps must be taken to address this issue in order to reassure the people that it is on course”
Consequently, POH calls on the govt to mobilize states security outfit to support the fed Police pending the restructuring of the country and to Mobilize the citizenry to be ever on the alert and be “thy Brothers’ keeper”, it concluded.
