A former governor of Plateau State, Senator Joshua Dariye, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the establishment of a military barrack in Bokkos local government area to curb the spate of killings in the council and the neighbouring Mangu, Riyom and Baraki-Ladi councils.
The four local governments in the past six months have been under siege by gunmen which have resulted to killings and destruction of property.
Consequently, the president directed the chief of defence staff, General Christopher Musa, to coordinate the implementation of the initiative to address the security challenges facing parts of the state, following a request by the former governor, Joshua Dariye.
The barracks will be located at Miller Farm (Gads Buy) in the Mbar District of the Bokkos local government area of the state.
Dariye, who is the facilitator of the initiative, in a statement issued in Jos, the state capital yesterday, said the recent killing in parts of the state were quite alarming and deserved urgent attention to halt the unfortunate development.
According to him, the barrack, if established, will equally serve the neighbouring state of Nasarawa because of the proximity of the site, adding that once in operation, there will be a swift response to any attack.
He also added that a similar initiative was made during his tenure as governor of the state.
He debunked the notion that the land where the barracks will be established is contentious, adding that the issues at stake concerning the land are being resolved with the state government.
“Just as the state government is not sleeping over these serial attacks on our communities, we, the citizens, are equally not resting on how to find solutions to the ugly development because it is worrisome and disheartening to see people being killed.
“This initiative is crucial; once in operation, the barracks will enable the military men to respond on time in case of any attack on villages and communities in these local governments,” he said.
Dariye therefore implored citizens of the state, irrespective of creed or religious affiliation, to live in peace and harmony with one another and imbibe the spirit of tolerance.
