Lanlong, suspended immigration boss in Villa to beg Buhari

Plateau State Governor, Mr. Simon Lanlong, on Monday led the suspended Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), David Paradang, to the Presidential Villa, Abuja with the aim of begging President Muhammadu Buhari.

Paradang who hails from Plateau State was on Friday suspended from office for embarking on illegal recruitment exercise for the service.

The governor arrived the Presidential Villa with Paradang but did not meet the President with him.

While Lanlong made his way to the President’s office to meet Buhari, the suspended NIS boss who was decked in a blue kaftan waited patiently for him at the waiting room opposite the Council Chambers.

As the governor was making his way out of the President’s office, Paradang joined him but when he discovered that Lanlong wanted to address journalists, he quickly stepped aside.

The suspended NIS boss also rebuffed attempts by some photojournalists to take his photograph alongside the governor.

Lanlong later told State House correspondents that Paradang’s issue was one of the matters he discussed with Buhari.

He said, “I came to see the President on some issues affecting my state. I feel comfortable with the response I got and that is why I am smiling.

“I told him (the President) what we are doing on insecurity in our state.

“Also, we discussed the prevailing issue of the suspension of the Comptroller-General of Immigration who incidentally is from my state.

“When you have issues like this in a political period, you must find ways of looking for reasons. If anything affects any part of your body, you must show concern.”

When probed further on the outcome of his discussion with the President on Paradang’s suspension, the governor said the case was still under investigation.

While saying the President was handling the case, Lanlong said he would agree with the outcome of the investigation.

“Paradang’s case is still under investigation. A man was suspended and he is from Plateau State, it is my concern because I am the governor of the state.

“For every appointment, we must show concern no matter how small.

“The President is handling it. At the end of the day, whatever is the outcome, I will agree with it, but I also need to get some explanation as the governor of the state,” he said.

The governor admitted that there are still pockets of crisis in Jos, the state capital especially between the Fulanis and Beroms.

He regretted that while a 13-man committee he set up on the matter was still sitting, crisis erupted again in some parts of the area.

“We still have cases of cattle rustling and farm destruction going on in the southern part, but in the last one week, we have taken very good measures and security agencies are working very well in terms of arrest,” he added.