The Executive Chairman of Langtang North Local Government Area of Plateau State Hon. Joshua Ubandoma Laven has said security report at his disposal indicate that people suspected to be terrorists have surrounded his council area with a view to lunch a monumental attack on the peace loving people of the locality.
Laven who briefed newsmen in Jos said that at about 4pm on Thursday, terrorists were spotted coming to attack Tarok Nation particularly Langtang North and Langtang South.
The chairman told newsmen that he immediately got in touch with Forward Operation Base (FOB) Commander representing Langtang and reported to him and he confirmed to him that FOB was aware of the intelligent report.
“I immediately called the the Area Commander in charge of Southern Zone Plateau and he informed me that he received the same security report. He told me to alert the communities and let everybody keep vigil.
The Chairman further said he called the Commissioner of Police in the state Mr. Edward Egbuka and he confirmed to him, that they have told him what is going on but as a local government, we should try and see what we can do.
“I appealed that proactive measures be taken because what has been happening in Jos started a long time ago but proactive measures were not taken with the view to nip it in bud.”
“Yesterday our people kept 24 hours vigil,” he said.
Laven said that they are calling on security agencies and government not to only confirm that they were aware of the influx of terrorists but they should do something about it adding that they should step up their game and come to the rescue of the people.
According to him, the armless civilians cannot defend themselves and hence they are calling on security agencies to join hands with the Tarok nation to chase away the the invading terrorists.
“As a local government, we know that our first priority is to protect lives and property because the first responsibility of government is to secure lives and property.
“We are calling on security agencies to come to our aid but we are warning that when they come they shouldn’t take side with one group especially the Invaders.
He further stressed “When they come, let us go to the bush and chase the assailants because we are the ones that they are invading.When the attack occur, which the confirm to us that it is imminent, they should not come and cage us while the assailants are killing us.”
“We do not have the weapons but we have the might and wherewithal to assist security agencies to chase away these assailants.We know that security agencies have been stretched but they need to deploy more personnel to Langtang, don’t allow the innocent citizens to be killed,” he said.
He commended Plateau State House of Assembly members for advising local governments to stop the recruitment of teachers and instead engage vigilante to protect their communities.
Laven said that people would only talk about employment when they are alive stressing that those that were killed in Bassa and other places will they wake up and work again?
“Security is the paramount and the House of Assembly took the right decision. He also called on ethnic groups to unite and end the bloodletting in the state.
According to him, if one ethnic group fold their hands that it is not their ethnic group that were being killed, after the killers are are done with one, they would go after the other.
“Plateau should embrace themselves and know that their unity is paramount, cordial existence is the only way out of this situation” he added.
Nasarawa Reporters 