Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau has restated his commitment to ending the continuous spate of attacks on some communities in the state.

Mr Mutfwang gave the assurance while swearing in four new permanent secretaries into the state civil service on Wednesday at the Government House, Jos.

“We have taken some steps and put some measures in place. I like to promise Plateau people that the situation would be arrested,” he said.

The governor said he also had some interactions with President Bola Tinubu, who assured him of assisting with the necessary support to find lasting solutions to insecurity in Plateau.

The governor explained that in furtherance of his commitment to addressing the issue of security urgently, he had appointed a special adviser on security matters, retired Brig. Gen. Gakji Shipi, based on his professional competence and passion for Plateau.

He said Mr Shipi was sworn in with the new permanent secretaries to enable him immediately swing into the action of organising the state security assets and deploying them to address the problem.

“Even last night, I regret to say that we have lost 14 people. Before I was sworn in, Mangu and parts of Riyom local government areas had been coming under severe attacks.

“In Mangu alone, we have buried over 150 people, and as I am talking to you, probably about 16 to 20 villages have almost been pulled down.

“We are not fighting for any tribe or religion. Every inch of Plateau is dear to us, and we will fight to protect it,’’ he said.

Mr Mutfwang urged Plateau people to put aside their differences to ensure peace, which he said was crucial for progress.

He said residents in the state must respect the culture and customs of their host communities and also charged traditional leaders at all levels to detect early warning signals of conflicts in their domains and take the necessary measures to avert such.

The governor charged the newly sworn-in permanent secretaries on diligence to duties and effective service delivery.

He said their appointments were necessary to fill existing vacancies and rebuild confidence in the service by reinvigorating and repositioning it for accelerated development.

Mr Mutfwang described the appointments as deserving, based on their track records and experience, adding that there would be more of such appointments in the coming days.

The governor, who announced that he was reshuffling the offices of the permanent secretaries, urged them to discharge their duties responsibly in any office they were posted to, saying, “Every office you hold is for public trust.”.

Responding on behalf of the appointees, Nanman Kparbong assured the governor that they would discharge their duties to the best of their abilities.

The permanent secretaries sworn in were; Helen Chundusu, Roseline Dakwar, Joel Tahvan, and Kparbong. 

(NAN)