President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the recent breach of peace in Plateau State and promised that total peace will be restored to the state and Nigeria as a whole, adding that his administration will do all it could to enhance justice.
The president who made the promise while declaring open the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) meeting at Government House Little Rayfield, Jos expressed sadness over the unwarranted attacks and killings of innocent lives and destruction of properties in the state.
According to the president, to attain the process of peace, the strategy must be inclusive, diverse and transparent and sustained, adding that traditional rulers, religious and community leaders have a crucial role play towards peacebuilding and commended Gov Lalong for establishing the inter-religious council in the state.
The president who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Barr Boss Mustapha said the objective of the meeting was to lay the foundation for the execution of dialogue to facilitate ethnoreligious tolerance, justice to strengthen the confidence of the people and to end the cycle of violence in the state through collaborations.
“We shall mobilize resources to bring the criminals to justice, appropriate security agencies have been directed to intensify intelligence gathering, surveillance and effective protection of the citizens across communities. I have directed that all culprits must be apprehended.
“The current security situation in the country and indeed Plateau calls for continued dialogue as part of the processes of peacebuilding, removal of mutual suspension, peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance,” he said.
The president maintained that in line with the Constitution of Nigeria, safety and security which remains the primary responsibility of government also need all hands on deck with a collaborative mind.
He expressed optimism that the aftermath of the meeting will give special assurances to the people of Plateau State as well as change every ugly narrative in the state and the country at large.
“Our determination to restore peace or sense of justice transparently, the government remained determined to continue to protect all innocent law-abiding citizens in their communities,” he said.
Speaking also at the event, the Chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum, Dr Kayode Fayemi, commiserated with Lalong over the recent attacks, urging him not to be distracted in the pursuit of peace and mutual understanding among groups in the state.
He called for justice to perpetrators in the acts to serve as a deterrent to others, saying “the path of peace is justice, and the path of justice is equity and inclusion,” he said.
In his remarks, Gov. Simon Lalong at the end of a closed-door session said he would deal with religious leaders who make hate speeches.
He said peace was critical for rapid development in the state while calling for religious leaders and Plateau people to intensify prayers for the restoration of sustainable peace in Plateau.
