Gov. Simon Lalong

Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong has ordered the arrest of Fulani community leaders as a result of a deadly attack which killed many people.

At least 15 persons were killed after gunmen raided Kwatas village in Bokkos Local Government Area of the state during the weekend.

At an emergency meeting of community leaders and stakeholders on Tuesday, Lalong ordered the arrest of the Fulani leaders, saying “it is no longer business as usual.”

“I have changed, it is no longer business as usual, people cannot continue to die and we do nothing about it. Arrest all Ardos-Fulani leaders, community heads until they produce the killers,” he said.

“How can they say that people are killed and there is no arrest? Are those killing others spirits? I don’t think you can kill 15 human beings and claim you are spirit and there is no arrest.

“All community leaders should be in cell. Arrest them now, nobody is above the law. If they don’t produce the killers keep them in cell. Nobody has immunity except me and the Deputy Governor. This is my charge today, that all Ardos in the affected communities must be in cell.

“Since I have been in the state since February, no event of this magnitude has happened. We have been investigating the incident in Mangun and then this. We cannot continue in this situation in the state.

“The security agencies have resolved that those people killing must be arrested no matter how highly placed. Peace must return to this state as we cannot continue in this situation.

“They should not sleep in their houses. By the time they are arrested, we will solve this problem.” he said.

The attack came two weeks after 12 people were killed in Kunben village in Mangu Local Government Area.