COMMUNIQUE
In furtherance of the effort of the present Administration towards ensuring lasting peace, harmonious coexistence and sustainable development, His Excellency, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, Governor of Nasarawa State held a meeting with all Graded Emirs and Chiefs as well as Religious Leaders in the State in Lafia, the State Capital today, Thursday, 20th June, 2013. The meeting was in continuation of the Governor’s determination to overcome the recurrent security challenges that the State experienced in recent times.
The Traditional Rulers and Religious leaders appraised the various security challenges and the attendant setbacks in the development efforts of the Government of His Excellency, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura.
At the end of the meeting with Traditional Leaders and Religious leaders on the issues of security in the State, the meeting resolved as follows:
i. The meeting condoled President Goodluck Jonathan, the Governor and Government of Nasarawa State, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General, State Security Service and the families of the deceased security personnel, and prayed God to grant the souls of the departed eternal rest.
ii. Their Royal Highnesses condemned in its entirety the activities of the banned Ombatse group in terrorising the State and the recent killing of security operatives which has put the State in bad light;
iii. The Royal Fathers support the decision of the State Government to constitute a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to look into the recent wanton killings of security operatives and other innocent citizens at Alakyo;
iv. Youth are admonished not to allow themselves to be used as tools in fermenting trouble. Political leaders are advised not to mislead the youth.
v. Implementation of the white papers on the reports of the various communal crises to the letter and urged Government to bring to book the perpetrators and sponsors no matter how highly placed;
vi. The meeting suggested that Government and security agencies should investigate the proliferation of dangerous weapons in the State and how they were acquired by the various ethnic militias;
vii. Their Royal Highnesses recommended the sustenance of Community-based Conflict Resolution initiative at the Local Government level and other lower levels;
viii. That Government should constitute a High-Powered Delegation of representatives of Traditional Rulers to meet with their Eggon counterparts with a view to enforcing the ban on the activities of the outlawed Ombatse militia group.
ix. The meeting admonished all to intensify prayers in Churches and Mosques for sustainable peace, security and development of the State.
