Lar to be buried amid tight security

The Plateau State Government said the state would be placed under tight security while the funeral of late elder statesman, Chief Solomon Lar, lasts.
The Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Information for the burial, Pastor Yiljap Abraham, announced this at a news conference in Jos on Sunday.
Abraham said the funeral rites would commence in the state on Tuesday.
Abraham added that Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State was leaving nothing to chance in ensuring total security cover for the people and dignitaries coming in for the funeral.
He said: “He is determined that Plateau should not only be safer during this event, but throughout the remaining part of the year 2013 and beyond.
“For this reason, heads of security agencies in Plateau have been mobilised under the Joint Security Committee.”
He appealed to the general public to bear the inconveniences that may arise due to the tight security arrangements.
Abraham urged both visitors to the state and citizens to co-operate with security personnel by starting off to their destinations ahead of time.
Abraham said one week of activities had been approved by Jang in consultation with the Presidency, Nasarawa State and Lar’s family.
He also said the governor had declared three days of mourning from Tuesday to Thursday while Friday was to be observed as a work free day in the state.
Abraham added that the governor had approved the patching of over 200 kilometers federal roads stretching from Plateau State to Nasarawa State (Shendam-Heipang-Lantang).
He said: “Renovation is going on in the nine venues where the funeral activities will be holding.
“Some of the venues are: the High Court, the Rwang Pam Stadium and the Church of Christ in Nations chapel all in Jos.
“Other venues are the Lantang Stadium, the personal residence of Lar, the church and the graveside.
“Indeed, government is building a Mausoleum with sufficient security safeguards in the family cemetery located in Kwallak.”
The commissioner added that government had named the state university after him as a mark of honour and for his love for education.
Lar, first civilian governor of Plateau State and founding National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, died on October 9.