GOVERNOR MUTFWANG VISITS DEFENCE ARMY HEADQUARTERS TO SEEK FOR INTERVENTION ON THE LINGERING CRISES IN PLATEAU STATE.

Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has visited the Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Christopher Musa and the Chief of Army Staff, Major General, Taoreed Lagbaja and solicited for swift intervention to arrest the deteriorating security situation in Mangu, Barkin-Ladi, Riyom and other Local Government Areas of the State.

Governor Mutfwang, whose first point of call was the Defence Headquarters,  congratulated the Chief of Defence Staff on his appointment by the President and expressed hope that he would bring to bear his wealth of experience in tackling the security  challenges confronting Plateau State and Nigeria as a whole.

He said, "We are here on behalf of the government and peace-loving people of Plateau State to congratulate the Chief of Defence Staff on his well-deserved appointment and to also appraise the security  situation on the Plateau.

"Knowing how professional he is, we are optimistic that he would bring his wealth of experience  to bear in dealing with the situation on the Plateau so that we can have early resolution of the bad situation on ground.

"We declared a curfew some days back to arrest the deteriorating situation and we are glad that the General Officer Commanding 3rd Division has moved his operational base to Mangu Local Government.

"I am glad to inform you that the situation is calming down. The curfew  is being reviewed on daily basis and I am sure that before long, we will lift it up entirely."

The Chief of Defence Staff, Maj.-Gen. Christopher Musa, who warmly welcomed the Governor, expressed sadness  over the deteriorating  security situation  and said that everything  possible  would be done to bring the situation  under control.

He urged Plateau people to remain peaceful and law abiding, saying that they are working round the clock to discharge  their constitutional  responsibility of protecting  the territorial territory of Nigeria. 

He said, "The GOC has moved his operational ground to Mangu Local Government Area and Plateau is known as "Home of Peace and Tourism"; we will do everything  to achieve peace and tranquility  in Plateau State.

Governor Mutfwang, while at the Army Headquarters, also congratulated the Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, on his well-deserved appointment and solicited  his collaboration in protecting  lives and property in the State.

He said, "We are hopeful that under your leadership, the Nigeria Army would deliver on the expectations of the Nigerian people, that the territorial integrity of the nation would be preserved and peace and security of the nation would be enhanced."

Governor Mutfwang  expressed  gratitude that under the General Officer Commanding 3rd Division, peace is gradually returning  to the state, and said that government would convene a peace meeting in the coming days to bring under one roof, critical stakeholders in the state to find lasting solution to the challenges.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, Major General, Taoreed Lagbaja, in his response, thanked Governor Mutfwang for the visit and said that more attention would be given to Plateau to arrest the violent attacks in the trouble areas.

He noted that the conflict in Plateau had been reduced to Barkin-Ladi, Riyom and Bassa Local Governments, with Mangu on the spot at the moment.

"We shall deploy  the non kinetic approach by convening stakeholders meeting to address the deteriorating security situation in the state."

Those who were part of the visit include Member representing Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency of Plateau State in the House of Representatives, Hon. Dachung Musa Bagos, Special Adviser on Security, Brig-Gen. Gakji Shipi, Managing Director, Plateau Investment and Property Development Company, Hon. Danlami Jelka, Chairman, Transition Committee , Wase Local Government Area, Alh. Hamisu Anani, among others.