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THISDAYonline
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...I Can Crush Any Attack, Says Alli
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Again, fresh violence in Plateau
From Funmi Peter-Omale in Jos
Administrator of Plateau State, Maj. Gen. Chris Alli (rtd) has warned the people of the state not
to try his will in the use of maximum force to quell any form of violence in the state.
The warning came as there were reports of another fresh outbreak of violence in Southern Plateau.
Speaking while on a visit to trouble spots in Kanam, Kadarko, Wase and Langtang on Saturday, Alli reminded the
people of the fate that befell the people of Odi in Bayelsa State where government had to resort to maximum force
to restore peace in the area.
Odi was almost completely burnt when military troops raided the village in 2001 following the killing of some policemen
by armed youths in the village.
"I am not called a chief but a general. In my 32 years in the military, I have been taught to use force and
again I am the administrator. So I have all the powers to crush any attack," he said.
He appealed to people who had fled the trouble areas to return to their homes, assuring that adequate security
measures have been put in place to forestall further violence in the area.
The administrator announced that he would soon release all the white papers on investigations into the previous
crises.
"We are going to dust the reports of previous panels of inquiry for prompt implementation and we shall be
fair and just in our action. Whoever is found guilty in the whole saga would be dealt with according to the law.
Whomever believes he could kill and run away would be pursued to logical conclusion even if such person hides in
President Obasanjo's bedroom," he said.
Alli lamented the extent of damage and destruction in the places he had visited. He noted that it was unbelievable
that people that had lived together and inter-married for so long could start shedding each other's blood.
A councillor representing Kadarko ward, Nanyak Galadima had earlier told the administrator that the people of the
area had experienced violence, destruction of lives and properties in the last three years.
Galadima blamed some traditional rulers and elders in the area for inciting their subjects against innocent people.
He noted that the only way to end the crisis in the area was for government to create a separate local government
area for the Kadarko people.
At Wase, the Emir of Wase, Dr. Haruna Abdullahi told Alli that the people were fed up with the recurring violence
as it had brought in its wake massive destruction and untold hardship.
He appealed to the administrator to enact a special law against cattle rustling which had been the major cause
of recent crises in the Southern part of the state.
Abdullahi stressed that if the retired general could restore peace in the state, his present assignment would have
crowned his military career.
At Kanam, Alli was informed that about 4,000 displaced persons were taking refuge in the area.
Chairman of the local government, Alhaji Idris Gambo disclosed that the immediate needs of the people include food
items, drugs and other relief materials. He stated that some displaced persons have been encouraged to return to
their homes.
Alli, former Chief of Army Staff under Gen. Sani Abacha's regime was last Tuesday appointed sole administrator
of the state after President Obasanjo proclaimed a state of emergency in Plateau and suspended Governor Joshua
Dariye, his deputy and the state House of Assembly.
There were, however, reports of fresh hostilities in Southern Plateau yesterday morning. The state police command
when contacted could neither confirm the casualties nor give details of the incident as at press time. The state
police commissioner said he just received the reports and was investigating.
Meanwhile about 100 suspected Taroh militia had ambushed Fulani herdsmen at Damsalam village, Wase Local Government
area of the state.
In the Thursday attack, about 315 cows belonging to the herdsmen who were said to be coming from Taraba State were
stolen. One of the Fulani herdsmen, Isa Abubakar was allegedly abducted and has not been seen uptil now.
Confirming the theft of cows on Thursday, the Divisional Police Officer for Wase, Ahmed Umoru stated that the reports
were exaggerated, adding that only 90 cows were stolen. He explained that the report got to the
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