Governor Simon Lalong has denied what some people are saying, which is that herders have taken over some villages in the State, and the government hasn’t done anything about it.

The governor said this at the 2023 Plateau Day of Forgiveness and Reconciliation church service, held at St. Monica’s Catholic Church in Rantya Jos and attended by people from many different faiths.

He said that there is no evidence that any village has been taken over, and he added that the government passed and signed the Anti-Land Grabbing Law in 2020 to stop this from happening.

“By this law, anyone whose land has been forcefully taken is expected to write to me, his traditional ruler, the Local Government Chairman, an elected representative, or even approach the court directly for redress.

“So far, no one or any community has done so; instead, some people sit here in their homes and elsewhere to engage in politics and blackmail. I want the world to know that we have been returning displaced persons who fled their homes due to attacks back to their ancestral lands.

Read Related Also: Group: Atiku Abubakar will reverse tuition fees hike across Nigerian universities

“For example, the site for the construction of a police mobile barracks in Kakuruk, Gashish District, Barkin Local Government, has been handed over to the contractor, who will start work immediately to provide security for the people to return to their lands.

“Another village, Jong Community in Ropp District of Barkin Ladi, was returned to its abode two months ago. “Similarly, the Shonong Community in Bachit District of Riyom Local Government has also been returned to their homes,” he said.

Governor Lalong said that if someone has a complaint like this, they should write to the government or go to court to protest. He also said that he will not let anyone off the hook who tries to claim any part of Plateau that doesn’t belong to them.

Under his watch, Governor Lalong also said that Plateau has left behind its dark days of violence and destruction and is now “coasting to prosperity, unity, and peaceful coexistence.” He said this is because his administration has taken strong steps “to provide a platform for the citizens to drive the peace and reconciliation process.”

The governor said that the people have broken down the barriers to living peacefully by talking to each other and working together to stop people who try to cause trouble.