Plateau Lost About N75 Billion To Looters After #EndSARS Protest – Governor Lalong

Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong has revealed that properties and goods worth over N75 billion were looted and destroyed by hoodlums after the recent #EndSARS protests in the state.

The governor disclosed this on Friday during an interactive session with youth on the recent incidents in the state, held at the Government House in Rayfield, Jos.

According to him, the value of properties destroyed and stolen was arrived at by a team of experts after a preliminary investigations carried out by a team of experts.

Lalong said the level of destruction and carnage was unbelievable and unacceptable, adding that it would take the state many years to replace the structures vandalised and items that were stolen.

“The level of destruction and carnage is unbelievable and unacceptable. We are still trying to carry out a comprehensive evaluation of the total cost of the damage,” he said.

“However, the preliminary report by a team of experts I constituted has estimated the losses to be put at about N75 billion for now.

“This takes us many years backward as we do not have the resources to replace the structures vandalised and the items damaged or stolen.

“We are yet to recover from the devastating economic consequences of COVID-19 which has greatly affected our capacity to provide services.

“Indeed, this act of destruction has nothing to do with the initial #ENDSARS protests, but a clear act of criminality and unpatriotic behavior.

“As at the last count, we have more than 32 public and private property that were affected in the looting spree,” the governor added.

The governor, however, noted that there were challenges facing youths in the state, adding that as a father and governor, he felt the pain.

He said that his heart went out to youths due to lack of opportunities for jobs and better conditions to achieve their dreams.

The governor who said his administration was working hard to address them, however appealing to youths to always avoid any action that could threaten the unity and peace in the state and Nigeria at large.

KnayiDaily had also reported how Kogi State Commissioner for Health, Saka Audu was seen shedding ‘crocodile tears’ while addressing the press on the vandalized Medical Store complex in the state.