Plateau killings: We will resettle IDPs in their homes with adequate security — Matawalle

Following the Christmas eve attack on some communities in three local government areas of Plateau State, where over 100 people lost their lives, the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has promised that the federal government will soon resettle the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) back in their homes. The minister made this known yesterday […]

Following the Christmas eve attack on some communities in three local government areas of Plateau State, where over 100 people lost their lives, the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has promised that the federal government will soon resettle the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) back in their homes.

The minister made this known yesterday during a church service at the Assemblies of God’s Church in NTV village of Barkin Ladi LGA where some villagers were also killed and many displaced

Speaking at the service, the minister, who was on an assessment tour with the service chiefs and the minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr Betta Edu, said they were in the state to see for themselves first-hand what happened and to work out the possible solutions.

Matawalle said the government does not like the idea of IDP camps, and that people ought to remain in their homes as more troops would be deployed to the area to provide security for them.

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According to him, the military will escort all those displaced back home and protect them because that is their responsibility, adding that they should be rest assured that government will stand by them.

He said the government has made some relief materials available to bring soccour to them and will be administered by the minister of Humanitarian Affairs accordingly.

He said the military will take decisive action against the perpetrators, and that President Bola Tinubu is committed to protecting the lives and properties of all citizens.

In his remarks, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Abiodun Lagbaja, said they have already made some arrests and that they are also on the trail of others, but that this is not the time to begin reeling out the names of those arrested as they are still making further investigations.

He however assured that all the perpetrators would be rounded up in line with the directives of President Tinubu.

He called on the victims to support the troops who are professionals in discharging their duties.

In their separate remarks, the traditional and religious rulers of the community called on the minister and service chiefs to do more and protect the people and also find lasting solutions to the crisis because the killings have lingered for more than 15 years and many lives have been lost.