Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau has called on the federal government to provide special support for victims of attacks in the state.

Mr Mutfwang made the call when the Forum of Northern Senators paid him a condolence visit on Thursday in Jos.

The governor, who said the victims would need to return to their communities without delay, called on the Senate to include funds for the resettlement of the displaced in the 2024 budget before its passage.

”We are also concerned about the humanitarian crisis that these attacks have brought in the state, and this is why I’m calling on the federal government to support these victims to return to their communities.

”I want to particularly call on the Senate to include this in the 2024 budget before passing it for assent by the president,” he said.

Mr Mutfwang said the state had committed huge resources toward supporting the state security agencies, and the federal government’s support to cater to the needs of the displaced victims became necessary.

He called on the security agencies to intensify efforts toward ensuring that all schools used by bandits as hideouts are made habitable for rural boys and girls to go to school.

The governor assured the people of his commitment to charting a new course that would bring about sustainable development in the state.

Earlier, Senator Abdul Ningi, leader of the forum, said the visit was to commiserate with the governor over the Christmas Eve killings in the state.

Mr Ningi, who decried the spate of insecurity in the northern part of the country, called for unity and tolerance among the people to tackle the menace.

”For us in the forum, we feel really sad about these killings not only in Plateau but the entire northern Nigeria, and we pray that the end is here already.

”The north is poor and backward, yet we are killing ourselves in the name of tribe and religion; we must put a stop to this,” he said.

Mr Ningi, who commended the governor for the steps taken to stem the tide of insecurity in the state, promised to present the issue during plenary.

He also said that the forum was planning a town hall with key stakeholders to find lasting solutions to the north’s security challenges.

(NAN)