Stones hurled at Nasarawa Gov Al-Makura

Some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Agwatashi, Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa, Tuesday hurled stones at the convoy of Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura.

The governor had embarked on an assessment visit to the camp with security chiefs in the state following the killing of 32 persons by suspected herdsmen.

It was gathered that when the governor was about to address the IDPs, some youths in the camp started chanting different slogans, forcing the governor to leave the camp.

On his way out, the youth began throwing stones at the governor’s convoy, compelling the police to disperse them with tear gas.

Reacting, Al-Makura attributed the incident to frustration due to the challenges the IDPs faced.

“The reaction from the people is understandable given their plight and we have to use diplomacy to address the issues,” he said.

“Continuing to address them at the moment would not yield any result so we have decided to avoid further altercation. However, this action appears to indicate that the problems in some of these communities are self-inflicted.

Read also: NASARAWA: Herdsmen hack 32 villagers to death

“If people can conduct themselves in this way, then you know that there is more to it than what is happening.”

The governor however advised the leaders of the communities to caution their subjects against mob action and disrespect for law and order.

“If you will want to take laws into your own hands, you will be left to defend yourselves,” he said.

“However as a responsible government desirous of protecting lives and property, we shall explore all avenues to ensure the safety of the people.”

He directed the chairmen of the affected local government areas to take a census of the people displaced with a view to providing relief materials to them.

 

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