The governor of Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong, has disclosed that Public and private properties valued at N75 billion were lost to looters in the state in the aftermath of the recent #EndSARS protest.

Governor Lalong disclosed this on Friday, during an interactive session with Plateau youths held at the Rayfield field Government House, Jos.

The governor said the amount was arrived at by experts after a preliminary evaluation of the level of destruction and looting done to public and private properties in the state.

He explained that the interactive session became necessary, as the government needed to address the issues bedevilling the state and the nation as a result of the #ENDSARS protest.

While expressing deep commiserations with those who lost their loved ones as a result of the protest, the governor assured the youths that the government will work towards meeting their demands.

He explained how the state government had made every possible efforts to discuss with the #ENDSARS protesters but could not succeed as according to him, they kept saying they had no leader, saying the long protest created room for hoodlums to come in, leading to the destruction of lives and properties in Jos and Bukuru metropolis.

Lalong stated further that the palliatives carted away by the hoodlums were not hoarded by the state government, saying they were awaiting distribution after they were delivered to the State on 16th October 2020 by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

The governor while condemning the level of destruction the attack has left on public and private facilities in the state, said it has taken Plateau State many years backward.

“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. However, the preliminary report by a team of experts I constituted has estimated the losses to be put at about 75 billion naira for now.

He denied insinuations that he is against the disbandment of SARS, saying he is among those that have been calling for the reform of the Nigerian Police Force.

Governor Lalong appealed to all the youths of the state to always avoid actions that would threaten the unity and peace of the state.