Fearing a breakdown of law and order in the fragile peace on the Plateau, the state government has vehemently denied swirling speculations of an alleged plan to install an emir in the Yelwa Town of Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Recall that nearly two decades ago, the town was thrown into a crisis of an etho-religious nature between the local people and the settlers.
In a statement on Saturday, the state commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr. Dan Manjang, said: “The attention of the Plateau State Government has been drawn to fake news circulating in some conventional and social media platforms alleging that there are plans by the State Government to establish an emirate council or install an emir in Yelwa, Shendam Local Government Area, leading to tension mounting in the area and culminating in criminal elements pelting some prime buildings in Shendam town including the palace of the Long Gamai and looting some shops.
“Government hereby states categorically and unequivocally that such stories are unfounded and should be disregarded while at the same time condemns such behavior in its entirety.
“The Government wishes to put in on record that there has never been any time that such idea was contemplated or even discussed. To say the least, this is the imagination and machination of mischief makers aimed at throwing the State into the dark old days thereby drawing the hands of the clock backwards and making nonsense of the peace we have achieved since the coming of the rescue administration ably led by His Excellency, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Simon Bako Lalong, KSGG.
“In the light of the foregoing therefore, Government hereby warns such mischief makers to desist from their evil intentions as it will not take it kindly with anyone found to mastermind such retrogressive tendencies.
“His Excellency the Executive Governor Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong has already directed security agencies to go after those mischief makers and ensure that there is no escalation of the breakdown of law and order in the area, Shendam Local Government and Plateau State as a whole.
“Government hereby beckons on the general public particularly residents of Shendam Local Government to be circumspect and go about their normal duties by disregarding such dangerous rumours and providing timely information to security agencies to enable them act swiftly.
“Government hereby advises the public to always cross check their facts from constituted authority and seek for dialogue rather taking the laws into their hands.”