The Plateau Peace Practitioners Network (PPPN) has advised residents of Plateau to adopt early warning and response mechanisms to avert incessant attacks and killings in the state.
Mr. Jacob Pwakim, Chairman of the network, advised in a statement on Friday in Jos, adding that the network was saddened by the resurgence of violent attacks in some parts of the state.
Pwakim, who acknowledged the efforts of government, groups, and individuals toward entrenching lasting peace in the state, however, called for concerted efforts in the area of enforcement of law and order in the state.
”PPPN is a network of local and international non-governmental organizations and community-based organizations (CSOs) whose members are committed to a just and peaceful society where everybody lives in harmony despite political, religious, and ethnic differences for the attainment of sustainable development.
“We are saddened over what appears to be the resurgence of violent attacks in rural communities in Mangu, Bokkos, Riyom, Jos South, and Barkin Ladi local government areas of Plateau.
“There is no doubt that the government, organizations, including this network, donor communities, and people of goodwill have made concerted efforts to address the persistence of violent conflicts in this state through diverse approaches and interventions that have reduced the fragility of the state in the past.
“We request that government should be proactive and the state agencies should take responsibility for the enforcement of law and order
“We equally call on community members to activate strong early warning and early response mechanisms in their communities in collaboration with state agencies to vert further attacks,” he advised.
Pwakim also advised residents to avoid isolated movements, particularly as the farming season set in.
He called on residents to seek better and more civil ways of expressing their grievances instead of taking actions that usually cause more harm and untold hardship to innocent citizens.
“As legitimate as community protests and demands for safety and security are, people must avoid situations in which road users are inconvenienced as they draw attention to their plights.
“People must be more diplomatic and use less vulnerable methods of seeking enforcement, no matter how difficult it is, because communities are put at greater risk as a result of jungle justice due to these protests which hoodlums do take advantage of,” he said.
Pwakim further called on the government to meet the health, social and economic needs of the victims of the recent attacks, adding that such a move would give them a sense of belonging.
He also called on the security agencies to be neutral and professional in the discharge of their duties, adding that such would residents build more confidence in them.
