Lafia — The widespread gun violence which has left dozens dead and property worth millions of naira destroyed in the last one week alone, in Nasarawa State, cuts the picture of years of violent crises which have destabilized Jos in Plateau State, said a pro-Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura group which said the crises are being perpetrated to slow the administration down.

Nasarawa State VITAL Network for Peace, as the group of youths calls itself, told newsmen in Lafia, yesterday, that it has cause to blame the widespread bloody crises which have hit much of the state, and have displaced thousands, on those they called "enemies of progress".

Barrister Ibrahim Bayi, VITAL's chairman, who was accompanied by dozens of members of the group, said political opponents of the administration are the masterminds of the gun violence, with the motive to "launch our state into violent crises similar to that of Jos.

"The crises, we know for sure, are being perpetrated by persons with hidden agenda to destabilize the administration of Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, and to slow the government down in its quality service delivery. But it will not work because we the people, especially the youth of Nasarawa are firmly behind our governor," Bayi said.

He said the group - a non-governmental organization is dedicated to the promotion of peaceful co-existence in the state adding that it has resolved to take a tour of the state to preach peace to the diverse people of the state.

Bayi called on people of the state to "keep vigil to help track these sentimental reactionaries".