‘Killers’ of monarch, DSS operative, others in Plateau arrested

Plateau State Government has confirmed the arrest of suspected killers of a traditional ruler in Foron District of Barkin-Ladi Council, a Department of State Services (DSS) operative and five other people in Vwang District of Jos South Council.

Disclosing this at a roundtable with community stakeholders at Government House, Jos, yesterday, to commemorate Nigeria’s 60th Independence anniversary, Governor Simon Lalong vowed that perpetrators of the heinous crimes and their sponsors would soon be brought before the law.

At the roundtable themed ‘Building peaceful, safer and secure communities in Plateau State’, the governor vowed that his administration would not renege in its resolution to deal decisively with any form of criminality in the state, noting that protection of life and property was a priority of his government.

His words: “No amount of blackmail and desperation will deter us from this task. We have drawn the battle line with criminals, and together with security agencies, we remain steadfast at securing our state.”

According to Lalong, while the primary role of the state’s Peace Building Agency is to resolve long-standing conflicts, it will also act proactively to de-escalate tension through the facilitation of systematic dialogue between conflict parties.

Lalong, who is Chairman of Northern Governors Forum, has granted pardon to five condemned prisoners to mark the country’s 60th Independence anniversary.

He said: “In the spirit of Nigeria’s diamond jubilee celebrations and in exercise of the powers conferred on me, I hereby grant pardon to the following convicted persons for good behaviour.”

“Obinna John, initially sentenced to death by hanging, his death sentence has been commuted to 21 years imprisonment. Lenka Kurji, sentenced to 36 months; Buhari Abubakar, sentenced to four years; David Luka, sentenced three years; and Ya’u Bala, who was sentenced to three years have all been granted absolute pardon.”

The keynote speaker, Professor Danny McCain, encouraged communities in Plateau to embrace each other and allow peace to reign for the development of the country. He regretted the violence bedeviling Plateau and applauded Lalong for working hard to attain the current peace being enjoyed in the state.