by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
PLATEAU STATE: The ‘JAHR Patriotic Forum, of the Chiefdom of Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State, has called for the dissolution of the Caretaker Committee of the chiefdom, with immediate effect, to be constituted with a new one with a definite time-frame to conduct elections into the various offices of the Association.
“The call became necessary, following a letter, dated 26th May, 2025, and addressed to the Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Muttwang, drawing his urgent attention to the security challenges in our Chiefdom,” forum stated.
Briefing newsmen at the NUJ Press Center Jos, on Tuesday, by the JAHR Patriotic Forum, led by Hon. Dayyabu Garga Galadiman, forum asserted that, its attention has been drawn on a letter, dated 26th May, 2025, addressed to the State Governor.
“We are not contesting the cause of the letter but are flabbergasted by the language implored in expressing the intent of the letter.”
According to him, “Jahr people are known to be humble, polite and level-headed, and would ordinarily portray such in all presentations, expressions and advocacies.
“We are, therefore, embarrassed to see the above-mentioned letter addressed to the Chief Executive of the State, loaded with ultimatum, insults, intimidation and threats – such unwholesome phrases such as we are no longer needed in Plateau State.
“This is a Political Statement that must have originated from somewhere, since the authors have no evidence anywhere, oral or written, that suggests that the Jahr people are not needed in Plateau State.”
Hon. Galadiman affirmed that, “We have been part-and-parcel of the state since Pre-colonial times, and nobody – government or authority – has ever threatened to sack us from the state or disenfranchise us as legitimate citizens.
“All through your statements, speeches and interview, there has never been a moment that you mentioned the issue of insecurity in Jahr Chiefdom of
Kanam Local Government Area since the day you were sworn-in as the Executive Governor of Plateau State,” Jahr stated.
The Jahr spokesman stressed thus: “This statement is a blatant lie, and is intended to belittle the governor, who has been up-and-doing, putting-in his best to ensure the security and well-being of all nooks and crannies of the state.”
Hon. Garga noted that, “No Governor in North-Central Nigeria has expended so much energy and resources in containing terrorism, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, herdsmen and associated crimes than Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang.
“The continued silence and lack of action are unacceptable and constitute a breach of that duty. This is a direct confrontation with the sitting Government, notwithstanding the prevalence of democracy in our clime, while the antecedents of some of the authors point to the fact that they ‘are either in it or let it perish,’ he said.
“Implementation of Community Policing Initiatives to foster trust and cooperation: This idea is still being debated and fine-tuned at the National level to crystallize into workable policy for implementation.
“We caution random Public Commentators to avoid stampeding public servants into toying with proposals that have not matured. Failure to act promptly will compel us to seek legal remedies and mobilize community action to ensure our rights to safety and security are upheld.
“We are pained by this obvious invitation to mass action that will not do anybody any good. These words and phrases do not suggest that the document emanated from a lower authority but from an overload.
“More so, that it is supposed to be an appeal in the face of several other attacks in recent times in Mangu, Bokkos, Bassa, Barkin-Ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas of the State.
“Bandits, terrorist, kidnapers and, indeed, herdsmen are not authorized. We, therefore, wonder what leadership the caretaker committee of Jahr Development Association wants to give the Jahr Community.
“We are law-abiding, enlightened and have the fear of God. Therefore, we caution the caretaker committee to stop forthwith inciting people against the Government.
“While appreciating the Governor’s efforts in tackling terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, and all forms of criminality but, like Oliver Twist, we ‘beg for more’ since it appears that the more efforts being made, the higher the propensity of attacks and destruction.
“In view of the fact that the current Caretaker Committee of Jahr Development Association has over-stayed is welcomed, and call on their Royal Father, the Ra’an Jahr, who is Grand Patron of the Association, to dissolve the Caretaker Committee, with immediate effect, and constitute a new one with a definite timeframe to conduct elections into the various offices of the Association,” Jahr stated.
They pledged their loyalty and support to Government of Plateau State, saying, “And we will continue to provide information and other required logistics necessary to actualize the government’s goals and objectives.”