Angry displaced persons at an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp, on Saturday stoned the governor of Plateau State, Mr. Simon Lalong over alleged delay in visiting the Internally Displaced persons IDP’s in camps since the recent attacks and killings of over 200 people in Barkinladi, Riyom and some part of Jos south.
Statistics indicates that the Barkinladi mayhem, had forcefully sent out over 26,000 people from their homes, and are taken rafuge in primary schools and worship centers.
A statement by the state commissioner for information Yakubu Dati which confirmed the incident, said the governor was attacked, shortly after he visited an IDP camp in Jos south.
The governor’s spokesman describe the actions of the said rampaging persons on the governor as condemnable, unlawful and unfortunate.
“The Plateau State Government hereby condemns in very strong terms the attack on the convoy of His Excellency Rt. Hon. Simon Lalong, The Executive Governor of Plateau State, by some hoodlums shortly after leaving an IDP camp at Anguldi, Jos South Local Government Area of the State.”
According to Dati’s press release issued Saturday night, the rampaging persons were sponsored to attack the governor.
“The hoodlums, acting on the script of their sponsors, laid ambush on the highway and attacked the Governor ‘s convoy with stones, rods and other unidentified objects, damaging vehicles in the convoy including those belonging to the press corp, security and relief agencies.”
Eye witness said the governor and his entourage narrowly escape lynchi by the angry IDP’s.
It was noted that the governor visited the camp for the first time since the incident occurred more than three weeks ago, to commiserate with the victims and also offered some relief materials to the IDP’s
The press release by Mr. Dati commended professionalism of the security operatives in handling the rioters without opening fire on the protesters.
“The Governor also wishes to thank the Security Agencies for professionally carrying out their duties with restrain even in the face of extreme provocation.”
Mr. Dati said the mop action on the governor was capable of degenerating another round of violence.
“The Government finds it regrettable that while its efforts at restoring peace is yielding results, certain unpatriotic elements are bent on returning our State to the sad era of blood letting by instigating religious and ethnic hatred, for cheap political gains.”
It is on record that 12 persons have died from various IDP camps, six out of nine women who delivered at an IDP in Riyom loss their babies due to harsh conditions.
