In the aftermath of the violent attacks in some communities in Plateau State that had several hundreds of people killed and property destroyed, the vice President External of the National Association of Plateau State, Comrade Nanchang Peter Timloh, has in a press statement in Jos made available to the press outrightly condemned the attacks, and made a clarion call for all critical stakeholders to be more proactive rather than being reactive to issues.
The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) is the apex body governing all students in Polytecnics, Monotechnics, Colleges of Education, and all other institutions awarding Nitional and Higher National Diploma certificates across the country. We pride ourselves to be an umbrella to 20.1 million students.
As a part of the organizationโs mandate of championing the cause of students, engaging relevant stakeholders, interfacing with policy actors and political leaders, Comrade Nanchang Peter Timloh in his press release said: โWe condemn in the strongest possible terms the unfortunate loss of lives and property in Plateau State, and by extension, Nigeria at large. These gruesome attacks ars only a criminal act but also a direct assault on our shared values of peace, unity, mutual respect, and coexistence as a people. Indeed, it is a threat to humanity. Such barbaric acts are alien to society, and must quickly be nipped in the bud.โ
Part of the statement further reads: โOn behalf of 20.1 million Polytechnic students, i emphatize the good people of Plateau State and all those who lost their loved ones to these unfortunate attacks. Rest assured, we stand with you at this trying moment, shoulder to shoulder.
As we continue to engage relevant stakeholders – community leaders, Federal and State Government, security agencies, relegious leaders, youth groups, in our bid to find a lasting solution to the problem, we urge security agencies to intensify their efforts in intelligence gathering and proactive interventions to pre-empt the occurrence of such acts in the future. More so, stakeholders must recognise the new dynamics at play so as to move from being reactive to proactiveness.โ
The NAPS VP External, Comrade Nanchang Peter Timloh, commended the efforts of all critical stakeholders and further advised that Government must as a matter of constitutional obligation prioritize the welfare and security of the people.
The statement reads further: โWhile we commend the efforts of the State Government, it is imperative to state, as enshrined in our constitution, that the primary purpose of Government is to guarantee the security and welfare of the people. Governments across the board must wake up to this sacred duty. As an organization, we are readily available to work with all relevant stakeholders in a bid to finding a lasting solution to insecurity in the State and the Country at large. There is no alternative to peace.โ