Jos crisis: Plateau orders arrest of three traditional rulers

Plateau State Government has ordered the arrest of three prominent traditional rulers for their roles in the recurrent cases of attacks in the state.

The state announced this at the end of an emergency security meeting presided over by the Deputy Governor, Mr. Ignatius Longjan, in Jos on Wednesday.

The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr. Yiljap Abraham, said the Special Task Force had been mandated to use “unconventional method to deal with the rising insecurity in the state, especially the frequent attacks on the outskirts of the city and to employ powers conferred on them under the emergency laws.”

Abraham, who preferred not to name the traditional rulers, said the affected traditional rulers were already telling the STF all they knew about some of the attacks in the villages.

He regretted that some traditional rulers and ward heads who were mandated to talk to their subject often failed to do so after they had been mobilised for the purpose.

Abraham said, “Council expressed sadness over the increase in killings, armed robbery and explosions in the state, in the light of the relative peace the people have enjoyed, especially in Jos and Bukuru metropolis.

“Council has also observed an increase in the use of explosives, which had resulted in youths mobilising themselves to block highways, which sometimes prevent security agents from doing their jobs.”

The commissioner said that the state of emergency imposed on four local government areas in the state had not yielded the desired result as the government at that level could not function since their subventions had not been released.

“It is envisaged that the state of emergency should have translated into clear peace, but the emergency rule has had negative effect on the operations of the local governments, including not being able to mobilise their people on security measures,” he said.

The commissioner said that before the end of the week, the ban on the operation motorcycles would be strictly enforced as the government was set to release more than 500 tricycles to take over their operations.

Abraham, who admitted that the number of tricycles being released might not be enough, said the people of the state would be happy to endure some levels of hardship if that would ensure the safety of their lives and belongings.