By Golok Nanmwa, Jos
Plateau Police Command on Monday said it has intensified security deployment in the two troubled local government areas of the state.
Our correspondent reports that an outbreak of communal hostilities at the weekend resulted in the destruction of property and injuries among residents of villages bordering Langtang North and Mikang Local Government Areas of the state.
The Police Command in a press release signed by DSP Alfred Alabo, the Police Public Relations Officer PPRO reads that on the 23/03/2024 the Plateau State Police Command received information at the Mikang Division from an informant, reporting a clash between the people of Ponlong Village of Mikang LGA and Fungyallang village of Langtang North LGA.
“On receipt of the report, the Plateau State Commissioner of Police, CP Hassan Steve Yabanet, ordered the immediate deployment of Policemen to be led by the DPO Mikang Division who immediately raced to the scene to stabilise the situation”, he said.
According to the Police, “Upon preliminary investigation, we discovered that the clash erupted as a result of a land dispute between the two communities.”
“In the course of the clash, about Five houses were set ablaze, while other livestock were destroyed ,while One Mr Ishaku Wumtel also sustained a bullet wound and was immediately rushed to the General Hospital for treatment”, it said.
The statement further added that the Commissioner of Police, has ordered intensified patrol of the area and the immediate deployment of additional personnel from Area Command Langtang, 66PMF Shendam, Shendam Division and a detachment of Tactical Teams from the State headquarters to prevent any further occurrences of such incidence and sustain normalcy in the area.
“The CP has also ordered the relocation of the Area Commander Langtang and Commander 66PMF to the troubled Areas.”
The Police also advised youths and community members all over the State to avoid all forms of violence and adopt dialogue as a means of dispute resolution.
The statement also reads that the CP would be meeting with relevant stakeholders in the two communities, and representatives of the two LGAs on Monday to discuss the sustainability of the already existing peace and proffer a lasting solution to the prevailing problem.
The CP further urged all Plateau residents to report any suspicious activities to the men of the Police force .
In a related development, Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District Simon Bako Lalong has condemned the violent clash which occurred at Ponglong area of Lalin District of Mikang Local Government Area, between citizens of Montol and Taroh tribes.
The violence which reportedly led to loss of some lives, injuries, destruction of properties and rustling of animals is said to have been instigated by land dispute between the two neighbours.
