The Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), Rev. Yakubu Pam, has urged the federal and Plateau governments to provide support for the families of victims of recent killings in Plateau.
Pam made the appeal when he paid condolence visits to the Emir of Kanam, Alhaji Muazu Muhammadu, and the Chairman of Kanam Local Government, Mr Dayyabu Garga, at Dengi in Plateau.
This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Celestine Toruka, Head Media and Public Relations, NCPC, on Sunday in Abuja.
The NCPC boss said that he was pained by the unprovoked killings by evil men, describing the incident as very unfortunate.
He said that Kanam had been a very peaceful place blessed with hardworking and peace-loving people.
Pam, therefore, urged the people to be strong and undaunted, saying; “trials are meant to strengthen us as a people, and move us to the next level”.
He said that both the federal and Plateau governments should come to the aid of the Kanam people to, not only contain the insecurity in the area, but also provide succour to the people.
“You alone cannot do it, you need the intervention of both the federal and Plateau state governments,” he said.
Responding, the emir appreciated the executive secretary for the visit, saying that it had given them so much hope and encouragement.
He said that the communities where the killings took place had a high concentration of natural resources with huge mining activities going on.
Muhammadu called on the Plateau state government to harness the mineral potential in the area, to help in empowering the youth, and engage them meaningfully.
At the local government secretariat, the Secretary of the local government, Mr Hashimu Umar, who spoke on behalf of the chairman, appreciated Pam’s humanitarian interventions across the country and his love for the people of Kanam.
Pam was accompanied by the Chairman of Riyom Local Government Council, Mr Mafeng Gwallson, Deputy Chairman of Barki-Ladi Local Government, Mr Dung Iliya, officials of Jos South Local Government and NCPC, and some clergymen.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that many people died and several houses were burnt when gunmen attacked some communities in Kanam and Wase recently.(NAN)