From Teryima Ajijah, Jos
The embattled Chairman of Langtang North Local Government Area of Plateau State, Joshua Ubandoma Joshua has blamed the Plateau state government over the recent killing of 106 persons by bandits in Kanam LGA on non pro-activeness on the part of the state government in securing lives and property.
Joshua stated this recently in an interview with journalists at the Yakubu Gowon Airport, Heipang, where he also distanced himself from the video circulating on social media, accusing and inciting ethnic violence.
According to him, if the state government had responded swiftly to intelligence reports, Kanam carnage would have been averted.
Joshua alleged that, the governor of Plateau state failed to make use of local intelligence reports at his disposal.
He stressed that there are always local intelligence reports from the security agencies, vigilante group, members of community policing and the community leaders, prior to most of the deadly attacks that perished dozens of innocent lives in the state.
“The responsibility of every government is to protect lives and properties. In August last year I raised alarm over terrorists camping somewhere in Wase LGA which is a neighbour to Langtang North LGA. Four months later, the Emir of Wase His Royal Highness Muhammad Haruna later confirmed that 50 percent of Wase LGA has been taken over by terrorists,” he stated.
According to Joshua, the state government is not proactive in handling security issues, adding that instead of calling him to ask where he got the information, they debunked his claims.
“The state government cares only when it has happened, and government supposed to be proactive to prevent attacks on innocent people. In my own case, when I discovered that the terrorists have invaded our land, I worked in collaboration with the local security and they confirmed it.
“There are always security reports about the activities of terrorists in the state. For Yelwa Zangam where 29 persons were killed, there was security intelligence reports for more than three days but no action was taken to avert the looming danger.
“There was also intelligence reports about the attack in Mangu and the next is Langtang North. So I called all the traditional rulers, security heads in Langtang North and the local hunters group to a security meeting where we mapped out strategies and alert our people, that was what prevent what would have been a bloodbath in Tarok land in August, 2021.
“Four months after Wase was hit, it is now the turn of Kanam LGA were over 150 people were killed. This is because we don’t take local intelligence reports serious, we need to raised up and protect our people,” he added.
Laven also said by law he remained the authentic Chairman of Langtang North, who was duly elected by the people as confirmed by a court of competent jurisdiction, adding that he has always been peaceful in his approach to issues even when Governor Simon Lalong denied him access to the local government secretariat.
Responding to the video in circulation which he was accused of inciting a particular ethnic group against another, Joshua said it was because of his love for peace that he recovered over 1000 fire arms in Langtang North LGA and handed over to Governor Samuel Lalong and Commander of Operation Safe Haven to ensure lasting peace in the area.
“If I can recover over 1000 weapons and the governor and the military came here and received them, it shows my love for peace. Now they are heightening tension in my community because that video was translated my mischief-makers.”