Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau has vowed to identify and prosecute those behind the resurgence of terror attacks in the state.
Lalong made the pledge on Sunday while reacting to Saturday night attack by unknown gunmen on Tagbe Village, Jebbu Miango, Bassa Local Government Area, where six persons were killed and five others severely injured.
The governor, in a statement by the Director of Press Affairs, Emmanuel Nanle, warned that government would not relent in its renewed efforts at identifying and prosecuting all those behind this heinous crimes.
He said that the killers and their sponsors seek to take the state back to the dark days of violent conflicts and vowed not to let that happen.
According to statement, the criminal elements perpetrating the spade of vicious attack within the Irigwe Chiefdom of Bassa, were finding refuge among the inhabitants of those areas.
“We are shock over the night gun attack on Tagbe Village, Jebbu Miango of Saturday the 14th October 2017, after the failed attack on Nzoruvho Village, which resulted in the killing of 6 persons and 5 others who sustained various forms of gunshot injuries.
“The attack coming at the heels of the 12 hours curfew imposed over Bassa LGA, leaves government with serious concerns,” he said.
The governor appealed to all residents of the affected areas in Bassa and the surrounding border villages, to volunteer useful information that will lead to the arrest of all the criminals behind this sudden resurgence of terror.
He warned that any person or group of persons in villages and neighbourhoods identified to have been providing refuge and escape for these criminals, will incur the wrath of the law.
Lalong extended his heartfelt condolences to families of the bereaved and directed the State Emergency Management Agency and Ministry of Health to immediately coordinate medical services for the injured as well as provide all necessary humanitarian relief materials to the affected areas.
The governor also appealed for calm from all law abiding citizens in these areas of attacks all around Bassa.
He assured that security has been reinforced, while intelligence and security search and patrol have also been intensified to ensure the immediate arrest of the culprits.
