Story from Yakubu VENTIM, Jos
The Heritage of Peace & Justice Initiative (HPJI) has expressed sadness with the ugly development in Plateau State, where the lives of innocent citizens are taken on a daily basis without respect for human values and recourse to the provisions of the relevant laws of the Land.
HPJI Executive Director, Ali Ali, disclosed this in a statement, adding that the persistent and incessant attacks on innocent citizens in different parts of Plateau state call for the need for action.
He frowned at the recent series of attacks and reprisal attacks on innocent citizens which took place in Bassa, Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Jos South and the attack on innocent passersby in Gada Biu along Rukuba Road, as well as the attack on the people of Yelwan Zangam in Jos North LGA who were killed in cold blood.
“We are deeply concerned with the happenings in the State and have come up with the following: It is the duty of every Government to protect its citizens against any form of attack irrespective of their social background, ethnic affiliation, religious inclination, and political attachment.
“Governments at all levels should rise up to their responsibilities as they promised during their campaigns and discharge them without fear or favour.
“Security Agencies should carry out their duties diligently and professionally without sentiment.
“People should give the Government and the Security Agencies full corporation by giving them the right information and support to end this ugly trend in the state.
“Government must ensure justice and fair play among the citizenry, for peace cannot be achieved in the absence of injustice.
Achieving peace is a multi-face and collaborative tax by the Government (through the relevant bodies and the security agencies), the traditional institutions, various organisations (religious, social, political, CBOs, NGOs, etc.), and other citizens through multi-dimensional approaches.
“Just like security, achieving peace is everybody’s business for no amount of security forces alone can restore the needed peace, it must go along with the collaboration of the people. Therefore, the people must agree to live in peace otherwise the authorities will only be working without the desired result.
“Organisations with the objectives of peacebuilding should as a matter of urgency begin to set up peacebuilding activities in various localities to put the populace on the right peaceful pedestal thereby complementing the effort of the authorities.
“We should remember, without peace, there is no development. Let’s build the needed peace and anticipate endless development in Plateau State and beyond,” he stated.
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