Plateau has lost about N75bn to looters, says Lalong

Simon Lalong, governor of Plateau, says the state lost about N75 billion to looters.

Public and private-owned facilities were looted and vandalised by mobs in the aftermath of the #EndSARS protests.

Lalong, who spoke on Friday during an interactive session with Plateau youth at the Rayfield government house, Jos, said the level of destruction was enormous.

The governor said the value of properties destroyed and stolen was arrived at by a team of experts after a preliminary report on the level of destruction and looting done in the state.

He added 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.”

Lalong also urged the youth to work with the government to build the society, stating that his administration is committed to ensuring sustainable development in the state.

“Since coming into power, my administration has remained committed to pursuing the economic development of the state through youth empowerment and job creation,” Lalong said.

“You would agree with me that the enormity of the challenges we face cannot be resolved overnight or with a wave of the hand. It is a process that all of us must collectively work together to achieve.”

The state government, on Monday, said 307 suspects had been arrested over the vandalisation and looting of palliatives from warehouses.

It also issued an ultimatum to the looters to return all items to the nearest local government office before Wednesday, adding that any suspect caught will be brought to justice.