A coalition of indigenous peace building organisations in Plateau State has condemned the Senator representing Plateau North, Instifanus Gyang for making unguarded public comment, capable of igniting new wave of crisis in the state.
The group under the aegis of Coalition of Plateau Peace Practitioners Forum (OPEPF), berated the senator for making inflammatory comment at the burial of the slain District Head of Foron, Da Bulus Jang, on Friday.
The National Coordinator, of the group, Rev. Dachomo Pam, said on Saturday in a statement that the senator also openly berated security agencies over the crime rate in Plateau State and telling people at the burial that the Fulanis were mainly responsible for the various killings and other criminal activities in the state.
He said the senator’s comments does not befit his status as a public figure as such position could be disadvantageous to his re-election bid in his constituency.
“While we call on our people to ignore his statement in its entirety, we appeal to them to remain calm and law abiding and also report criminal elements among us to security agencies,” Pam said.
He also urged the security agencies to urgently fish out the killers of the traditional rulers and appropriately prosecute them where necessary.
“The entire management and members of Coalition of Plateau Peace Practitioners Forum (COPEPF) wish to condole with the family, government and people of Plateau State over the recent gruesome murder of Da Bulus Jang, the acting District Head of Foron Kingdom by unknown gunmen.
“His death by criminal elements at a time peace was gradually returning to Plateau State was not only painful but also a retrogressive step in the ongoing peace efforts being spearheaded by security agencies. This dastardly act should be condemned by well-meaning individuals and groups rooting for peace in the state.
“However, we wish to call on politicians particularly our senator, Istifanus Gyang, representing Plateau North in the National Assembly, to refrain from making comments capable of propelling our people towards taking actions that are inimical to peace and harmony in the state.
“We observed with serious concern, some implicative comments he made on Friday at the burial of our slain royal father, Da Bulus Jang. While at the burial, Senator Gyang made comment insinuating that all criminal activities including killings in the state are traceable to the Fulani people in the state. Besides, the senator said the laxity on the part of security agencies and their personnel is another major factor for unabated crimes in the state.
“We consider these to be unguarded and unpatriotic given that such statement could instigate the people and may take us back to Egypt. People, especially public officers that have followers like them must be guided in their statements instead of instigating people against other ethnic or religious groups and the security agencies,” Pam added.
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