The disputed land between Tehl people of Mikang LGA and Tarok people of Langtang North that led to the unfortunate communal clash between the two tribes on Friday, March, 22nd, 2024 resulting in the loss of lives and wanton destruction of properties has been taken over by the Plateau State Government.
CP Hassan Steve Yabanet, Commissioner of Police in charge of Plateau State Command, Director of State Security Services and Alexander Bissa Barunde, Commandant in charge of Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corp, Plateau State Command in company of Hon Ephraim Usman, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Brig Gen GG Shipi (Rtd), Special Adviser to the governor on security matters visited the troubled communities on Tuesday, 26 March 2024.
The 44th Commissioner of Police, Plateau State who spoke to the people in hausa language, extended the governor’s condolences to the people and appealed for calm, saying that whatsoever that has happened should be put behind them and forge ahead together again in love. He assured that everything will be done within the shortest possible time to ensure that the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs return to their homes.
He explained that the take over of the land is necessary to avoid further escalation of the conflict and to ensure calmness is maintained. He warned that government will not fold it hands and watch merchants of war plunge the state into another round of conflicts. He assured the warying communities of the neutrality of the police in enforcing law and order while declaring an end to perpretators of crimes and criminalities in the state.
He guaranteed that under his watch and with the concerted efforts being made by His Excellency, Barr Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang to ensure peace and security, Plateau State shall be a danger zone for criminals to operate
Collaborating the Commissioner of Police stance, the State Director of DSS and Commandant, NSCDC handed stern warnings to the communities, advicing them to tow the path of peace and maintain tranquility. They warned that anyone found with weapon shall be dealt with accordingly
On his part, Hon Ephraim Usman, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, lamented the unfortunate crisis saying that no one gains from war. He lamented that as people who have mutually coexisted for time immemorial, it was shameful that they took up arms against each each. He enjoined them to always embrace dialogue to settle disputes. He reiterated that the disputed land for now has been taken over by government to allow peace and normalcy to return while government strives to resolve the issue amicably.
Brig Gen GG Shippi (Rtd), Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matter noted that conflict is only a set back for meaningful development and no one benefits from it. He said Barr Mutfwang having worked tirelessly to ensure the return of peace in Mangu, Barkin Ladi and Bokkos LGAs, the crisis within seemingly inseparable tribes in Southern zone is highly unfortunate. He restated government’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property while urging the two tribes to bury the hatchets and resort to their good old days of mutual communal cooperation.
Hon Godwin Nanmwa Kumzhi, Transition Implementation Committee Chairman, Langtang North while addressing the IDPs said since childhood, the two tribes have coexisted as one except for the separation of tribe but all social and political activities have been carried out together as a single family. He solicited for calm and assured the people that very soon government will come to their aid.
Hon Daniel Kungmi, TIC Chairman of Mikang re-echoed the views of his Langtang North counterpart stressing that the Tarok and Tehl people have been indivisible and not this temporary setback will set them against each other. He commended the people for listening to the voices of reason saying that since yesterday, no one has gone against their call for cease fire. The two chairmen applauded the decision of the government to take over the ownership of the disputed land and assured the security agencies and the people of their total commitment to ending the conflict
Speaking with www.pointblank.com.ng, AVM Napoleon Binkap Bali (Rtd), Chairman, Plateau State Security Committee buttressed government’s determination to break vicious circles of conflicts and reassured the people that under Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, every single life and property matters and government will do everything humanly possible to protect it as long as it is within the territorial landscape of the state.
The former Airforce Chief applauded the security agencies for their prompt responses that ensured the situation didn’t degenerate beyond the current situation and thanked the people for listening to the plea of the government to cease fire. He said security is everyone’s business therefore all must cooperate with government to return peace because without peace, no any meaningful achievement will be achieved
The Tarok Traditional Council was led by His Royal Highness the Ponzhi Zini, Acting President, Langtang Joint Traditional Council while the Moyum of Garkawa led the Mikang Traditonal Council to the meeting. According to www.pointblank.com.ng, relative peace has returned to the troubled zone in the last 24 hours
