Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has directed security agencies in the State to take full control of all vulnerable areas in Bassa and Riyom LGAs and clear the attackers that have perpetrators the mayhem.
Briefing newsmen after a security council meeting, Commissioner of Police Edward Egbuka said the Governor after receiving full briefs from the various security organs in the State and after exhaustive review of the situation, gave marching order to reinforce and contain the situation without further delay.
According to CP Egbuka, the meeting basically reviewed the fallout of events within the last 48 hours where there were attacks specifically at Jebbu Miango where five people were killed and about 85 buildings burnt.
The next morning, the attacks continued in Tamburam, Riyom Local Government Area where twelve people were killed and some houses destroyed and at Maiyanga where some security personnel lost their lives.
Egbuka said although security agencies have deployed men on the ground coping with the situation, the Governor has directed them to do everything possible to bring the situation under control within the next 48 hours and arrest all the perpetrators.
He assured the citizens that the directives of the Government will be swiftly carried out as the security agencies will further strategise and reinforce to contain the situation, arrest the attackers and bring them to account.
The meeting also resolved to enhance engagement and collaboration with informal security groups such as the vigilante, community watch groups, hunters association and community leaders for enhanced intelligence gathering.
The Governor during the meeting again sympathised with the victims and also reiterated his directive for immediate assessment of the humanitarian needs and assistance to affected people by State Emergency Management Agency once the security agencies contain the situation.
Josiah Buzun