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| Last Updated: Jan 19th, 2012 - 11:25:19 |
National Security & Intelligence
Perpetrators of Jos violence will face full wrath of the law – VP
Jan 27, 2010, 00:58
| | The Vice President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has said that persons linked with the Jos violence that claimed hundreds of lives and properties will be prosecuted by the Federal Government and be made to face the full weight of the law if convicted.
He stated this on Tuesday January 26 at the Police Staff College, Jos after inspecting various spots of the violence in Jos, Plateau State.
Dr. Jonathan has therefore directed the police authorities to carry out an exhaustive investigation and that all those found wanting should be brought to book.
“We decided to come and see things for ourselves in Plateau state. I have asked the police to continue investigations exhaustively and anyone linked to the crisis, no matter how remotely, will be investigated and prosecuted. There will be no biases. Prosecution will be pursued to the last level of litigation, and if the court convicts such persons, they must face the full weight of the law,” the VP stated.
Jonathan said he has been holding high level security meetings with the nation’s security chiefs since the crisis. This he said ensured that it was curtailed and prevented from spreading to other states in the country. While commiserating with families who have lost beloved ones, the VP regretted that such acrimony could exist among people that have lived together for years and assured that Government will ensure that such a crisis is nipped in the bud.
“Since this incident, we have been meeting daily at the highest security level to make sure the violence does not spread to other states. The Federal Government will work with the government and people of Plateau state to ensure that this does not happen again. We commiserate with those who have lost very dear ones and pray that the Almighty will console them.”
The VP urged the people of Plateau State to pursue peace and good neighbourliness, saying that “when you destroy the local economy, then you are destroying empowerment for the people”. He thanked the army and other security agencies for their timely role in curtailing the crisis and urged them to continue to keep the peace. He also appreciated NEMA as well as NGOs for their humanitarian services during the crisis.
Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang, expressed deep gratitude to the VP on behalf of the Government and people of the state, saying his coming and initial nationwide broadcast “have helped to douse the tension in the Plateau considerably”. He regretted resurgence of the violence despite efforts by the state government to address it, but prayed that this will be the last, as the state government will leave no stone unturned to deal with it decisively. He promised to furnish the Federal Government with all reports on the crisis for action.
Speaking on behalf of State Governors, Bukola Saraki of Kwara State condoled with all who lost their loved ones in the carnage, and urged the people of Plateau to live in peace with one another.
In a long inspection earlier that took him to Bukuru, Kuru Jenta, Rikkos, Dutse Uku, Nasarawa Gwong, Congo Russia, Bauchi Road and Airforce base, the VP assessed firsthand the various sights of the mayhem characterized by burnt houses and places of worship. At Dutse Uku, he inspected the house that triggered the mayhem. He also visited the Police B Division in Bukuru and the Police Staff College, Jos where persons displaced by the crisis were camped. He noted the thinning of displaced persons at the camps as a result of humanitarian interventions.
The VP was accompanied by The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yayale Ahmed, Governors Bukola Saraki, Isa Yuguda of Bauchi, Babangida Aliyu odf Niger, Olagunsoye Oyinlola of Osun, and Jonah Jang. Others on his entourage included the Defence Minister, Godwin Abbe, Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Paul Dike, and Presidential aides.
© Copyright 2012 nigeriafirst.org
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