The governor of Plateau, Caleb Mutfwang, has blamed the abuse of illicit drugs for the rising insecurity in the state.
He made this statement on Friday during a visit to Mangu LGA, where over 27 residents were burned to death by gunmen in Kwahaslalek community.
This was one of the several attacks that have claimed the lives of more than 200 people in the state in recent weeks.
Mutfwang said that the drug menace in society must be tackled to prevent further killings. He warned those in drug business to stop their activities or face the consequences.
“Of course, there was the involvement of drugs; this is something we must tackle to be able to address the issues of the drug menace in our society,” he said.
“This is why we want to use this medium to tell those in drug business that their time on the Plateau is up; we will not tolerate it any longer.”
READ ALSO: Plateau Youths Arrested for Bold Attack on Military Forces Amid 24-hour curfew
“We will go after them, and if they have anywhere they want to do their business, Plateau is certainly not the place,” he said.
He also visited the palace of the paramount ruler of Mwaghavul in Mangu and expressed his sympathy to the families of the victims. He condemned the perpetrators of the attacks as callous and wicked.
“I can’t imagine the loss of humanity; I can’t believe human beings could be this callous. I imagine the pain of the 27 persons burnt to death by the wicked ones,” he said.
He lamented that the attackers were trying to destroy the economy of Mangu by looting and burning foodstuffs on the market day.
He appealed to the people to remain united and not allow the crisis merchants to divide them.
The governor urged the youths to refrain from taking the law into their hands and to love their brothers more than their criminal friends.
“If anyone is giving room to criminals to operate, it is time to love your brother more than a friend that is a criminal,” he said.
Also, the 24-hour curfew imposed on Mangu had been relaxed and would now be enforced from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. until further notice.