Ethnic hatred, religious division cause of Plateau crisis — Lalong

Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau State has identified ethnic hatred and religious division as the major reasons the crisis in the state has lingered.

Lalong also said the two crisis triggers which he inherited from the past administration were further exploited by politicians. He urged traditional and religious leaders to collectively address the issues through sincerity and by exposing criminals.

The governor who stated this yesterday at the Dialogue, Reconciliation and Peace (DREP) Centre in Jos South, during an extraordinary meeting of traditional leaders on the recent violence in the state said: “Some of these crises are by politicians, a traditional ruler will not want trouble in his area and a true religious leaders will not want trouble in his church because if the church is burnt and people are running away, nobody will come to church and even pay tithe.”

He said while he would continue to do his best to protect the lives and properties of the citizens, traditional rulers must check the posture of politicians in their wards and local governments, adding that “if it is one that will create crisis please be very honest and sincere to expose them no matter the political party.”

Lalong said he was not unmindful of the facts that while some communities shielded criminals; certain traditional rulers had endangered their lives in the cause of exposing criminals.

The governor restated his commitment to implementing the white paper on Berom/Fulani committee which he said would be implemented in all parts of the state.