Former Plateau Governor, Senator Joshua Dariye, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his approval of the establishment of a military barrack in the Bokkos local government area of Plateau State to arrest the spate of killings in the council and the neighboring Mangu, Riyom, and Barakin-Ladi local government areas.
Recall that these local governments in the past six months have been under the siege of gunmen which has resulted to killings and destruction of properties.
To this effect, the President directed the Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa, to coordinate the implementation of the initiative to address the security challenges facing parts of the state, following a request by the former Governor, Joshua Dariye. The barracks will be located at Miller Farm (Gads Buy) in the Mbar District of the Bokkos local government area of the state.
The former governor of the state, Senator Dariye, who is the facilitator of the initiative, said the recent killings in parts of the state in recent times were quite alarming and deserved urgent attention to halt the unfortunate development.
According to him, the barrack, if established, will equally serve the neighboring state of Nassarawa because of the proximity of the site, adding that once in operation, there will be a swift response to any attack. He also added that a similar initiative was taken during his tenure as governor of the state.
He debunked the notion that the land where the barracks will be established is contentious, adding that the issues at stake concerning the land are being resolved with the state government.
“Just as the state government is not sleeping over these serial attacks on our communities, we, the citizens, are equally not resting on how to find solutions to the ugly development because it is worrisome and disheartening to see people being killed.
“This initiative is crucial; once in operation, the barracks will enable the military men to respond on time in case of any attack on villages and communities in these local governments,” he said.
Senator Dariye therefore implored citizens of the state, irrespective of creed or religious affiliation, to live in peace and harmony with one another and imbibe the spirit of tolerance.