Ayo Omotayo, the director-general of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, has apologised to the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Gyang Buba, for his Berom militia group comment.

Mr Omotayo, who visited the paramount ruler alongside his management team, tendered an apology for his recent comments on the Berom people.

The NIPSS boss, during a media interview about a recent security breach at the institute, said that a militia group existed among the Berom tribe. The comment sparked a wide range of reactions, not just among the Berom people but also among residents of Plateau.

However, during the Tuesday visit, Mr Omotayo said the comment was not intended to cast aspersions on or denigrate the Berom people.

“Your Majesty, I stand before you today not only as the director-general of NIPSS, but as a stakeholder deeply connected to this community and fully committed to the peace, unity and stability of Plateau.

“I have come with a message of respect, reflection and reconciliation. I wish to respectfully address concerns arising from my recent remarks during a media interview. I wish to state clearly and without ambiguity that it was never my intention to attribute blame to the Berom people or to cast aspersions on any community.

“I recognise, however, that my comments have been interpreted in ways that caused concern and distress. For this, I offer my sincere and unreserved apologies. I deeply regret any unintended offence caused, and I humbly seek your understanding and that of the entire Berom nation,” he said.

Mr Omotayo, who also appealed for calm and dialogue, said the institute would continue to invest in empowering the youths, particularly those from the host community.

He said NIPSS was working closely with relevant security agencies towards averting future security breaches at the institute.

Responding on behalf of the Gbong Gwom, Dachollom Jambol, the chairman of the Berom Elders Forum, thanked the NIPSS boss for the visit.

He called for an in-depth investigation into the security breach at the institute, adding that anything at present might be presumptuous and preemptive and may not allow the truth to come to light.

“So as a nation, we are asking that a serious panel or whatever team the government deems fit should be set up immediately to investigate the issues. After that, we may be in a position to speak on the matter,” he said.

(NAN)