By Isa Abdulsalami Ahovi, Jos
Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has sympathised with victims of attacks on Farin Lamba Turu, Jos South Local Government Area (LGA), where artisanal miners were killed.
Describing attacks as callous and unfortunate, the governor he was deeply disturbed by recent events in the state, which led to loss of lives and property.
He said already the security is working to apprehend the attackers and bring them to justice.
The Governor, through his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr. Makut Simon Macham, while sympathising with the families of the victims assured that the government would stop at nothing to ensure that those who take joy in causing pain on innocent citizens are dealt with as no one would be allowed to reverse the gains made in restoring peace and security of the State.
Similarly, the Governor expressed shock and sorrow over the unfortunate accident involving a fuel tanker, which exploded and caught fire along Bauchi road Jos leaving many injured, some dead and property destroyed.
Lalong said the situation, which led to traffic disruption, also affected business activities in the area.
He sympathised with the victims of the accident and praised the gallantry of security personnel and first responders who swung into action to rescue victims and bring the situation under control.
The Governor also regretted and condemned the action of some irate youths at the scene, which attacked officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and their vehicles that came to assist in traffic control and evacuation of victims.
The Governor prayed God to comfort those who suffered losses and assured that the government would step in to bring relief to survivors and other victims.
On his part, the Plateau Governor-elect, Caleb Mutfwang, also sympathetised with the victims of the Thursday’s unfortunate accident.
Mutfwang said he was greatly saddened over the unfortunate incident that involved a tanker conveying Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) along Bauchi Road, in Jos North Local Government Area of the state, which led to loss of lives and property.
His Special Assistant (Media), Gyang Bere, in a statement, said the Governor – elect was heartbroken to note that the tanker which burst into flames, burnt beyond recognition, some yet-to-be identified individuals while some vehicles and tricycles also perished in the inferno.
Mutfwang, who described the incident as unfortunate, commiserated with the bereaved families and prayed for the healing and speedy recovery of those who sustained various degrees of injuries.
The Governor-elect sympathised with the people of Jos North Local Government Area over the sad incident and prayed to God to avert any such unfortunate occurrence in the future.
He reassured the citizens of the commitment of his administration to reorganise the city centre to provide a conducive atmosphere for businesses to flourish and ensure free flow of traffic.
The Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Bartholomew Onyeka, has confirmed the incident.
According to a statement issued yesterday by the Police Command spokesman, DSP Alfred Alabo, the Commissioner said a fatal motor truck accident occurred at the Bauchi Road junction where a tanker truck loaded with petroleum product lost brake control and went on flames, burnt 28 shops, eight motor vehicles, cars, six tricycles and two motorcycles while 13 unidentified persons were burnt beyond recognition.
According to Onyeka, the corpses have been buried by Jamatu Nasr Islam (JNI), according to Islamic rites while 10 injured people were taken to various hospitals for medical attention.
He furthered that the developments also revealed that an angry mob in their hundreds attacked the FRSC staff and burnt down their operational vehicle with Reg No. AO1 783 RS, in the course of which one of the FRSC staff sustained injuries on his forehead. He added that one suspect has been arrested.
According to the statement, the Police Commissioner has mobilised the Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and Heads of Tactical Teams to take necessary actions to ensure that the peace and normalcy brought to the area are sustained.
Source: The Guardian
