The Plateau Youth Council (PYC), Jos South Chapter, has condemned remarks attributed to the director-general of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Prof Ayo Omotayo, in which he was reported to have described the Berom people as a “militia” on national television.
A statement signed by the public relations officer of PYC, Comrade Chungn Bryan, said the remarks were capable of undermining peace and mutual trust between the institution and its host community.
The group insisted that such generalisations could fuel tension and misrepresent the security realities in Plateau State.
PYC described the comment as reckless, provocative, and unworthy of a public office holder stressing that the statement unfairly stigmatises the Berom people, who are the host community of NIPSS and have coexisted peacefully with the institution over the years.
They called on Prof. Omotayo to issue an unreserved public apology, stressing that responsible leadership requires restraint and sensitivity, especially in matters involving ethnic and community relations.
PYC further warned against any narrative that could be interpreted as an attempt to justify the relocation of NIPSS from Plateau State, stating that insecurity is not unique to any one region in Nigeria.
The youth group urged dialogue, mutual respect, and constructive engagement between NIPSS and its host communities, emphasizing the importance of maintaining harmony for the continued success of the institution.
