More troops, more surveillance helicopters, more operational vehicles and other logistics support are needed in Plateau State to sustain the relative peace that has returned to the troubled state in the past few days, a youth group based in Plateau state pleaded with the Defence Headquarters.
The group however lauded the Chef of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin for ordering the immediate deployment of Special Forces to Plateau State following the invasion of 11 villages in three local governments by yet to be identified militia men.
Acting under the aegis of Association of Concerned Plateau Indigenous Youths Group, it called on the military high command to do more in the areas of manpower release , more surveillance helicopters, operational vehicles and power bikes to the military task force known as Operation Safe Haven.
In a statement, the group said its appeal to the DHQ was necessitated by the difficult terrain in Plateau State, especially the crisis prone areas where it noted troops of the military task force were finding it difficult to penetrate.
According to the statement signed by the convener of the group, Prince Rotdunna Ibn Sekat and Secretary, Dr Pam Davou, the youth group warned political actors against politicizing the crisis in the state.
It advised them to avoid blame games and work together for a quick and peaceful resolution of the unfortunate development.
The statement reads in part : “We are particularly worried with the attitude of political players in the state who are making desperate attempts to politicize our current misfortune.
“This unfortunate development has been demonstrated in the recent mixed crowds that stage protest at the government house, obviously to embarrass the government of Plateau state thus threatening our national security and mutual coexistence.
“We are saddened and worried that in times of trouble such as this, where political players are expected to rally around authorities to find a lasting solution, it is rather paradoxically nauseating for some people to seek negative political gains out of our common misfortune.
“We are determined to note that, politics is not practicable in the face of glaring insecurity, hence it behooves on political players to ensure that peace remains the foundation of our state.
“The state of Plateau belongs to all of us, as opposed to the notion that it belongs to a particular individual, government, political party, religion or group of persons. It is in appreciation of this fact that we are assembled here to encourage and chastise accordingly going forward.
“It is the considered view of the organization that, we would not live any stone unturned to expose the roots of every known source or agent of destabilization on the Plateau.
” It is our resolve to keep plateau state one and united both now and in future, and this, we will do with every instrument at our disposal until peace and stability returns to our villages.”