Armed soldiers were deployed to various locations in Jos, the capital of Plateau State, including the Court of Appeal complex, as observed by our correspondent on Sunday. The soldiers, accompanied by an armored tank positioned in front of the court complex, were stationed strategically across the city along with other security operatives.
This security measure was reportedly implemented in anticipation of the delivery of judgments related to the Plateau State governorship election petitions by the Court of Appeal in Abuja on the same day. Captain Oya James, the spokesman for the Military Taskforce responsible for maintaining peace in Plateau state, explained that the armed soldiers were deployed to prevent a breakdown of law and order following protests triggered by a recent Court of Appeal judgment that nullified the election of all National Assembly members from the Peoples Democratic Party in the state.
James clarified, "You know about the tension in the town due to the judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal. So, there is a little tension in town as the governorship election petitions will also be delivered on Sunday." He emphasized the military's role as monitors to maintain peace, working alongside the police.
In a separate development, the Middle Belt Youth Council disassociated itself from what it termed "fake Middle Belt groups" allegedly using its name for political gains in Plateau State. During a press conference in Jos on Sunday, the President of the Middle Belt Youth Council, Emmanuel Zopmal, accused Yusuf Gagdi, the lawmaker representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam federal constituency, of orchestrating activities of these fake groups to stir trouble in the Middle Belt region. Zopmal asserted that Gagdi should be held accountable if any law and order issues arise in Plateau state due to his aggressive political tactics.
Zopmal clarified, "The Middle Belt Youth Council categorically states that the Middle Belt Forum has not endorsed, supported, or participated in the creation of the purported coalition." He called the alleged fake group miscreants sponsored by Gagdi and urged the public to disregard any statements attributed to them. Zopmal reaffirmed the Middle Belt Youth Council's commitment to justice and called on the judiciary, especially the Appeal Court, to ensure fairness in its decisions. Additionally, he called for scrutiny of Gagdi's actions, claiming that he was more desperate about the governorship case than the candidate himself.
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