As the 2019 general elections draws closer, the Plateau State Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on the State Government, elders and stakeholders in Jos and its environs to intensify efforts in ensuring that all members of the Sara-Suka gang are apprehended to stop it from spreading to other parts of the metropolis.
The call was made by CAN Chairman of the State, Rev Dr Soja Bewarang, in Jos, the State Capital.
Bewarang said, “It is with strong dismay that the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Plateau State received the shocking news of attacks on motorists, pedestrians and vehicles by a gang called Sara-Suka in Jos North on Monday 18th June, 2018, at a time the state is enjoying the remaining Eid-el Fitr break declared by the Federal Government to enable Muslims in Nigeria celebrate the end of Ramadan.
“CAN commiserates with those that sustained injuries in the attack, and those whose vehicles were smashed, and also commend the Plateau State Government for its swift intervention, the Nigerian Police for apprehending 33 members of the gang and the Plateau State House of Assembly, for setting up a committee to investigate the unfortunate incident.
“CAN is seriously concerned that the so much efforts being deployed by the Plateau State Government for the restoration of peace in the state, could be further jeopardized if thugs are raised and allowed to be bred in the form of Sara-Suka.
According to him, “We knew Sara-Suka to be a group of political thugs raised and bred in Bauchi State by a previous administration in that state for the purpose of winning elections, and has caused a great havoc to the state before its disbandment.
“We later heard that the group resurfaced in Jos, Plateau State capital. And having been dealt with by the security, we thought it was gone, but we were proven wrong by its recent nefarious activities exhibited on Monday.
“We are calling on the State Government, elders and stakeholders in Jos and its environs to intensify efforts to ensure that all members of the group are apprehended to stop it from spreading to other parts of the metropolis especially now that we are drawing closer to 2019 general elections, in order not to allow anyone defranchize the citizen from exercising their civil rights of voting people of their choice, plunge the state in needless bloodbath and wanton destruction of properties and the return of the callous mutual distrust and religious badblood which had bedivelled the state for long.
The Chairman also called on politicians in the State to play clean politics and to avoid raising thugs to terrorise the citizens as a means of winning elections.
In the same vein, CAN condemned the recent skirmish in Bassa Local Government between farmers and herders.
“We appeal to the state Government to redouble its efforts in restoring peace in Bassa by setting up a panel of inquiry to look deeply into the recurring problems leading to crises in some parts of the local government.
“We wish to suggest also that there should be regular meetings between elders, stakeholders, leaders of communities and government for updates on the security situations and for enhancing peace in Bassa”, CAN stressed.
CAN calls on all citizens of the state to work towards enthroning an enduring peace in the state by complementing the efforts of government, saying government alone, cannot bring the desired peace.
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