Gyang Bere, Jos

About 24 hours to the local government  elections in Plateau State, a new Commissioner of Police, Austin Agbonlahor, has been posted to the state.

A press statement signed by Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mathias Terna Tyopev, said the new police boss has replaced CP Undie Adie.

“A new Commissioner of Police CP Austin Agbonlahor has assumed duty as the Commissioner of Police Plateau State Command, Jos.

“Before he took over as the Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command, he was a Commissioner of Police Department of Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja.”

Tyopev said CP Agbonlahor had served in different places and various capacities in the Nigeria Police Force which included; the Director of Courses, Nigeria Police Academy (POLAC), Wudil, Kano; Commissioner of Police Niger State Command, Minna.

The statement said CP Agbonlahor has worked virtually in all the six geo-political zones of the country and in all departments in the Nigeria Police Force.

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However, the local government elections would be held in only 13 councils out of the 17 in the state, with the government citing insecurity as reasons for excluding Jos North, Jos South, Riyom and Barkin-Ladi local government areas.

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Meanwhile, Vice President of the Berom Education and Cultural Organisations (BECO), Da. Iliya Kim, President of Berom Women Development Association (BEWDA), Florance Jambol, and President, Berom Youths Moulders Association (BYM), Choji Dalyop, have petitioned Governor Simon Lalong over the exclusion of Jos South, Riyom and Barkin-Ladi local government areas in the October 10 council elections.

The groups, in an open letter to Governor Lalong, said activities of gunmen in isolated areas in the affected local government should not stop election in the entire local government areas.

“It is clear to us that the reasons for shelving elections in the said LGAs is anything but security.

“It is a calculated plan and design to ostracize the Berom politically, to ensure non- democratically elected persons continue to exercise authority over our people.

“Mr. Governor, we make bold to state that there have never been cases or incidences of electoral violence in the three local governments of Jos South, Riyom and Barakin Ladi in the past. Even in 2015, during the national and state elections when there were attacks by the Fulani herders in some rural areas, the elections were peacefully and successfully conducted.

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“The state government is aware of the one-sided attacks by the Fulani-herders and it must take necessary measures to stop them not only during elections but permanently.

“Immediate implementation of the report of the Berom/Fulani committee for which government white paper has been issued.

“The state government and the security agencies should strengthen security in the hot-spots liable to breach of peace. This should be done in conjunction with the Berom Traditional leaders and other stakeholders.”