VP Shettima holds peace townhall meeting with Plateau leaders, stakeholders

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday paid a condolence visit to Victims of Bokkos and Barkin Local Government Areas of Plateau State who were attacked by unknown gunmen.

No fewer than 70 people were killed during the attack which occurred on Christmas Eve.

According to a statement issued by the Head of Press for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr. Manzo Ezekiel, the Vice President held a Town Hall meeting with various stakeholders where he appealed to them to help promote peace for harmonious coexistence and development of the State.

He said: “In furtherance of the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to support persons and communities affected by the recent violent attacks in some communities of Bokkos and Barkin Local Government Areas of Plateau State, Vice President Kashim Shettima today visited the victims and assured of measures to provide them with succour and address the security challenges.

“The Vice President, while addressing the displaced at a temporary camp in Bokkos, said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was deeply concerned about sad incidents and directed security agencies to fish out those responsible to face wrath of the law.

“He informed them that National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has been directed and prepositioned humanitarian items that will soon arrive the affected communities to provide them with succour.”

The Vice President commiserated with families of those that lost their lives, persons that were injured and displaced residents, while assuring them of the unwavering commitment of the Federal Government to ensure peace and security across the country.

In his remarks, Plateau State Governor Mr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government for commitments to support the affected persons and address the security challenges and especially the Vice President, Kashim Shettima for the visit to the State.

Governor Mutfwang who was also very happy about humanitarian items from NEMA, thanked the Director General Mustapha Habib Ahmed for the prompt response and said he will personally join NEMA team for equitable and fair distribution of the items.

Earlier on arrival in Bokkos, the Director Planning Research and Forecasting, Dr. Onimode Bandele Abdullahi who represented the Director General in leading the NEMA team briefed the Vice President Kashim Shettima on details of the humanitarian items for the affected persons.

The NEMA team was also responsible for leading the Vice President’s entourage to the camp.

The Vice President was accompanied on the visit by the National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu, Chief of Defence State General CG Musa and Chief of Defence Intelligence.

While in Jos, he was joined by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3rd Division Nigeria Army and Heads of security agencies in the State.

The State Governor, Mr. Mutfwang led senior officials of the State and leaders of thoughts in receiving the Vice President. Among other senior indigenes present were former Governors Joshua Dariye and Simon Lalong, while the traditional rulers included the Gbong Gwom Jos and religious leaders.

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