The Nation Newspaper

Tag: killings

  • PMB, end these killings now!

    SIR: President Muhammadu Buhari during his campaign in the 2015 Presidential Election promised to improve on the fragile security situation among other campaign promises. Since his coming into power, we cannot say that the nation has had a relief from insecurity. All his efforts and that of his service chiefs are like taking one step forward and two backwards which leads to nowhere in particular.

    In fairness to the President Buhari, the killings predated his administration. Whether killings by Boko Haram insurgents, herdsmen, or ethic militants, all these have been happening before Buhari came to power. For instance, in Plateau State alone, between 2010 and 2011, more than 600 people were killed in inter-ethnic violence or herdsmen versus farmers’ conflicts. The most gruesome was the massacre of 500 Berom farmers in Degan Nahwa by herdsmen on Sunday March 10, 2010. As a matter of fact, the killing by the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents was more, grievous and common during the Goodluck Jonathan presidency. Bombing of the UN Office in Abuja and other places are evidences of Boko Haram having free reign in Jonathan era. The fact that all have reduced drastically today is an evidence of Buhari’s effectiveness as a leader.

    The unfortunate thing about the failure to end Fulani massacre of innocent souls is that President Buhari, in spite of his accomplishment in various sectors of the nation is losing the support of the people and playing to the hands of his enemies. Besides, his pedigree as an infantry officer in the Nigerian military where he rose to the position of Major General is being questioned. Buhari rode on the crest of his military pedigree to power because Nigerians believed then that he would be able to secure the nation more than Jonathan did.

    The fact is that the time is running out for President Buhari on the issue of insecurity in Nigeria. The Sunday, June 24, strike by herdsmen in Razak, Ruku, Kuru and Gana-Rapp in Barkin-Ladi Local Government of Plateau State, where about 135 innocent souls including children were murdered has externalized the nefarious activities of the herders. The comment made by the UN Secretary General is an indictment of federal government. The Amnesty International disclosure that 1,813 Nigerians have been murdered in 17 states since January is revealing and unfortunate thing to happen in Nigeria during peace time. According to the report, the figure doubles that of last year which means that the nation’s security operatives have failed in their responsibility to protect Nigerians. The buck stops on the table of President Buhari to rise to the occasion as the father of the nation and nip in the bud, the senseless killings not only by herdsmen but by all blood-thirsty groups in Nigeria. Politics apart, shedding of human blood in whatever form is detested by God Almighty and a nation where innocent blood are being shed will know no peace or development. Buhari’s pre 2015 rating has dropped drastically due to various reasons which are not unrelated to his handling of the nation’s affairs. Year 2019 or not, he has to redeem his image and justify the confidence people reposed in him in 2015 by restoring peace in all nooks and crannies of this nation and stop the killing spree by herdsmen.

     

    • Adewuyi Adegbite,

    Ayekooto05@gmail.com

  • Killings: Senate begins push for state police

    The Senate has mandated its committee on constitution review to urgently initiate moves for further review of the constitution to accommodate the establishment of state police.

    The senators were reacting to the killings in Plteau villlages.

    Senator Adamu Aliero, (APC Kebbi Central) set the stage for the need to establish state police in the course of narrating how one of his aides was burnt to death when he ran into attackers on a Plateau highway.

    Many of the lawmakers agreed with Aliero, as they vehemently rebuffed the objection raised by Senator Kabiru Marafa (APC Zamfara Central) on the matter.

    The debate followed a motion moved by Senator David Jonah Jang ( PDP Plateau South) who condemned the wanton killings of some people in his constituency.

    Jang lamented what h described as the helplessness of the security agencies, particularly the police in responding to the attacks.

    Jang, in the motion, said 155 people were killed in the attack, which he said, were carried out by herdsmen, adding that 98 of the victims were from Mangu local government.

    The ex Plateau State Governor lamented that the attacks went on for several hours without any of the security agencies coming to the rescue of the victims.

    Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, lent his weight to the call, saying “I have been saying it here anytime issues of senseless killings in the land come up; that creation of state police is the way out since the centralised police have proved to be incapable of addressing the problem .

    “By tomorrow (today) or next, a bill for constitutional provision for state and community policing shall be sponsored by me in this chamber”.

    Some other senators that backed the call for state police included  Olamilekan Adeola ( APC Lagos West), Godswill Akpabio ( PDP Akwa Ibom ), Barnabas Gemade ( APC Benue North East) among others.

    President of the SenateBukola Saraki said: “These are acts of criminality and we should not encourage any other colouration to it. Be it religious. This is criminality and as such we have a role to ensure that we must address this criminality

    “We believe there is need for urgent review of the security architecture. We must not only see from the point of view that there is danger to security.

    “There is also danger if we really believe that we are going to push our economy, it is going to become stagnant”

  • Killings: Nigerians losing confidence in security system, says Dogara

    NIGERIANS are fast losing confidence in the country’s security system, House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara has said.

    The Speaker said history would be hash to on present administration, if it fails to stop the violence and mass killings of innocent Nigerians.

    Dogara, who was speaking at the resumption of plenary yesterday, noted that the achievement being recorded by the Buhari administration would not be remembered if the orgy violence and mass killings of innocent Nigerians continue unabated.

    His words: “History will have a harsh verdict for us as a government, if we fail to live up to this responsibility and it won’t matter if we succeed in other areas.

    “Unfortunately, the stark reality now is that our citizens are fast losing confidence in our security system.

    “The stark reality now is that our citizens are fast losing confidence in our security system. This must not be the case. Before we ebb to the realm of anarchy, we must rise up as true representatives of the Nigerian people to salvage the situation and defend our hard-won democracy.”

    According to Dogara, the unresolved issue of rampant killing of defenseless people, including innocent and vulnerable children and women, in various parts of the country, calls for a sober reflection and more concerted efforts by the National Assembly.

     

  • Killings unacceptable, says Adeboye

    General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Pastor Enoch Adeboye has described the killings in Plateau State as condemnable.

    Adeboye stated this at the Special Thanksgiving Service for all mothers, intending mothers, widows & their families organised by the church at the Redemption Way Ebute Metta Throne of Grace National Headquarters in Lagos on Sunday.

    The event, tagged: Joy of Many Generation was attended by Christian faithful drawn from across the country.. It coincided with the thanksgiving celebration for the General Overseer’s wife Pastor Folu,  who will turn 70 on July 13.

    Pastor Adeboye called for a pragmatic security approach toward tackling all forms of insecurity.

    Represented by Assistant General Overseer on Personnel and Administration, Pastor Johnson Odesola, Adeboye charged Nigerians not to lose hope.

    “There is still hope for this nation, though what is happening in the country is very sad, but hope is not lost as God has not left us alone. There are still pockets of things we can see around  that will make us happy’”, he said.

  • I’ve no hands in killings, says Jang

    Former Plateau State Governor Senator Jonah Jang, yesterday washed his hands of the  killings in his senatorial zone.

    The Northern zone of Plateau, comprising Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Jos South has been a centre of bloodshed in recent times.

    Speaking with reporters yesterday, Jang queried: “Doesn’t that sound funny that Jonah Jang, a Berom man from Plateau State is organizing gunm to come and kill Beroms or which killings are they talking about?

    “Over 200 people have been killed in some local government areas here including Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Bassa, Bokkos, Mangu and somebody is protesting in Abuja that I am behind the killings.

    “So I am the person who put the arms in the hands of criminals to come and kill my people so that I will be the only Berom man to live with my family or what? Does that make sense?”

    “I have been hearing somebody making noise on the television alluding many things, and he has directed his Lawyers to write me and let him explain now else I will go and explain in the court.

    “It is a pity that politics is turning to what it is in Nigeria. I believe that everything is being done to find a reason to incarcerate me so that I will not participate in the ongoing politics.

    “I am the Senator representing Plateau North, I may be re-contesting the Senate, and I may be contesting a higher position. That decision is in the making and the PDP is working very hard to win the election on the Plateau and I am a key figure here on the Plateau. So, there seems to be a very deliberate plan to get me out of the way so that I don’t participate in any of the electoral processes.

    “I just want to make it very clear that if this is the way our politics is going to be, then I am sorry to say that the democracy that we worked hard for; I was part of the G-18, G-34, that fought for this democracy to come, and the G34 formed the PDP, and PDP nurtured democracy for 16 years. But now, the APC as a party has come and wants to destroy it by trying to make sure that there is no opposition; they want Nigeria to become a one party state, and I believe that this is a subtle way of destroying democracy in Nigeria.

    Jang observed that the Peoples Democratic Party didn’t intimidate APC: “when they won, we handed over power to them without any crises. Today, President Jonathan is being acknowledged as one of the greatest democrat; he did not argue, he congratulated President Buhari when it was announced that President Buhari won the election and they shook hands.”

    He urged them to also be prepared to congratulate the PDP and hand over power in 2019 when its candidate wins. “That is how democracy works. But when you say you want to start intimidating opposition so that you remain in power, it will not work in a country like Nigeria, we are not a banana republic. We are a nation getting to about 200 million people, the biggest black nation in the world and every black man is looking up to Nigeria to set the pace and I don’t think this is the way we can go about it.”

    Jang charged the security agencies to live up to expectations. “When I took over power as Plateau Governor in 2007, this crisis was on; for eight years, I was struggling with the security to get this crisis resolved. Now again, it has gone into a wider dimension. We were talking about Plateau then, but now, we are talking about Plateau, Taraba, Benue, Zamfara, it is going even down to the southern part of the country.

    “The security must stand up and live up to expectation. If the security is saying that the matter has gone beyond them, let the President ask the United Nations (UN) to come in.

  • Kukah, N’Abba, want end to killings

    ….Imansuangbon blames politicians for killings

    The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Kukah and a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali N’Abba, at the weekend called for an end to the killings and violence in some parts of the country.

    They both agreed that the country was not in a good place right now.

    The former speaker and clergy man spoke at the graduation ceremony of students of Pacesetter Group of Schools, on Saturday, in Abuja.

    Kukah said there was need for the Federal Government to take concrete action to end the killings going on in some parts of the country.

    He said: “I don’t think where Nigeria is now does good to anybody. Prayers are important but they are not enough. We need to also see some really practical actions.

    “We are hemorrhaging badly. Everybody who lives in this country knows and whatever needs to be done- and I think those in power understands what needs to be done and we need to be properly communicated with.

    “We cannot have a country where illiterate people, people who have no contribution to really make to this country, wherever they are coming from, men and women of darkness to take over the country. It is not acceptable and the reason why government exists is to secure the territorial space of Nigeria. Where we are we are not working.”

    On his part, the former speaker sought for collaborations to end the killings in the country.

    Read Also:How to end killings, by ex-IG Abbah, Senator Ibrahim, others

    According to him, the federal government alone cannot handle the current situation the country has found itself.

    Mr. N’Abba said: “I think a long time ago communities must have been engaged properly by this administration. I don’t think communities are being engaged. These conflicts have been raging on even before this administration and I thought the administration must have been prepared enough to meet with most communities where these conflicts have been taking place with a view to engaging them not on one off basis but on a continuous basis. I don’t see this happening.

    “I don’t think it has been handled in the most appropriate manner. I don’t think he (Buhari) can handle this problem alone and the impression he has given most people is that he is working alone.

    “If he wants to solve problems in this country he has to engage many people as possible- elders, the party and everybody that can assist. Problems cannot be solved just governmentally and that is what I think they are doing and not everybody in the government possess the right kind of wisdom for them to be able to solve these intricate problems.”

    Chairman of Pacesetters Group of Schools, Barr. Kenneth Imansuangbon described the present situation in the country as disturbing.

    He blamed the violence and killings in the country on the struggle for power by politicians.

    Barr. Imansuangbon said: “What is happening in our country today is very laughable and disturbing. This is not the Nigeria that we know. This was not the Nigeria Tafawa Balewa, Saudana, Okotie-Eboh, Prof. Ambros Ali, Nnamdi Azikiwe and the late Okpara gave to us. They left a good and united country for us. In their time there was no killings.

    “I will hold the past 17 years of politicians responsible for this evil and shameful killings. As far as I am concerned I have no respect for any politician because they are selfish and greedy.

    “I don’t think this is a Christian – Muslim war but the drums of war are beating. We can see it.

    “We need to support the president now for us to have peace, good elections, create jobs, for roads to work and for water to run. Every Nigerian has the constitutional responsibility to make sure the country works.

    “It’s a shame to our generation that we are now human killers and eaters. What is happening in Nigeria if you don’t know the consequence, it will take the next 100 years for somebody to believe in our country. Do you think a serious human being will want to invest in Nigeria with the killings? Very soon if we don’t stop this nonsense everybody will pay the price- both the rich and the poor.”

  • Kukah, Na’Abba, seek end to killings

    Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese Mathew Kukah, and a former Speaker of the House of Representatives Ghali N’Abba, at the weekend called for an end to the killings in some parts of the country.

    They spoke at the graduation of students of Pacesetter Group of Schools in Abuja.

    Kukah said: “I don’t think where Nigeria is now does good to anybody. Prayers are important but they are not enough. We need to also see some really practical actions.

    “We are hemorrhaging badly. Everybody who lives in this country knows and whatever needs to be done— and I think those in power understand what needs to be done and we need to be properly communicated with.

    “We cannot have a country where illiterate people, people who have no contribution to really make to this country, wherever they are coming from, men and women of darkness to take over the country. It is not acceptable and the reason why government exists is to secure the territorial space of Nigeria. Where we are, we are not working.”

    N’Abba said: “I think a long time ago communities must have been engaged properly by this administration. I don’t think communities are being engaged. These conflicts have been raging on even before this administration and I thought the administration must have been prepared enough to meet with most communities where these conflicts have been taking place with a view to engaging them not on one off basis but on a continuous basis. I don’t see this happening.

    “I don’t think it has been handled in the most appropriate manner. I don’t think he (Buhari) can handle this problem alone and the impression he has given most people is that he is working alone.

    “If he wants to solve problems in this country he has to engage many people as possible- elders, the party and everybody that can assist. Problems cannot be solved just governmentally and that is what I think they are doing and not everybody in the government possess the right kind of wisdom for them to be able to solve this intricate problems.”

    Chairman of Pacesetters Group of Scools, Mr.  Kenneth Imansuangbon, described the situation in the country as disturbing.

    He blamed the violence and killings in the country on the struggle for power by politicians.

    Imansuangbon, a lawyer, said: “What is happening in our country today is very laughable and disturbing. This is not the Nigeria that we know. This was not the Nigeria Tafawa Balewa, Saudana, Okotie-Eboh, Prof. Ambros Ali, Nnamdi Azikiwe and the late Okpara gave to us. They left a good and united country for us. In their time there were no killings.

    “I will hold the past 17 years of politicians responsible for this evil and shameful killings. As far as I am concerned I have no respect for any politician because they are selfish and greedy.

    “I don’t think this is a Christian – Muslim war but the drums of war are beating. We can see it.

    “We need to support the president now for us to have peace, good elections, create jobs, for roads to work and for water to run. Every Nigerian has the constitutional responsibility to make sure the country works.

    “It’s a shame to our generation that we are now human killers and eaters. What is happening in Nigeria if you don’t know the consequence, it will take the next 100 years for somebody to believe in our country. Do you think a serious human being will want to invest in Nigeria with the killings? Very soon if we don’t stop this nonsense everybody will pay the price- both the rich and the poor.”

  • More outrage over killings in Plateau communities

    Outrage and brickbats continued yesterday over the Plateau State killings.

    Scores of people were killed by gunmen believed to be herdsmen. The state remained calm yesterday after Wednesday’s protest at the Government House in Jos.

    Governors, after a meeting in Abuja, urged security agents to ensure the arrest and prosecution of the killers.

    University lecturers called for a rejig of the country’s security system.

    Former Minister of Education Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, who staged a one-person protest on Tuesday to the gate of Aso Villa in Abuja, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to reveal the identities of all the perpetrators of the killings across the country.

    She urged the President to give justice to the dead and secure the living.

    She also demanded sanctions for Inspector-General of Police Ibrahim Idris should the police fail to arrest those who allegedly made the recent herdsmen association statement and their members behind the so-called “retaliatory attacks”.

    Mrs. Ezekwesili made the demands in a statement titled, “It is time to act now—Enough is totally and truly now.

    The apex Islamic body in the North, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), said the atttcks were premeditated having been “deliberately planned with political, religious mindset”.

    Idris warned politicians to desist from arming thugs.

    The Presidency weighed in on the declaration of a seven-day mourning by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing the opposition party’s action as “dancing on the graves of the dead and playing cheap and infantile politics”.

    Presidential adviser Femi Adesina said: “These are dolorous times that call for deep introspection on how cheap human lives have become, and the proffering of actionable ideas on how to get out of the bind.

    “The comatose and prostrate party is declaring seven days of mourning, during which flags in its offices would be flown at half mast nationwide. But, unknown to the party, those flags had been forcefully lowered since its 2015 loss at the polls, and may remain so for a long time to come, because Nigerians are politically discerning, and cannot be hoodwinked by cheap antics.”

    He added: “A quick checklist of some savage and brutal killings in Nigeria during PDP rule, between 1999 and 2015, for which no national mourning was declared:

    “November 20, 1999. Odi, in Bayelsa State, was invaded on orders of a PDP President. About 2,500 people killed. No national mourning.

    “Between February and May, 2000, about 5,000 people were killed during riots over Sharia law in different parts of the North. No national mourning.

    “In 2001, hundreds of people, including the old, infirm, women and children were killed in Zaki Biam. No crocodile tears.

    “Between September 7-12, 2001, Jos, Plateau State, erupted in internecine killings. Between 500 and 1,000 people were killed. Flags were not flown at half mast.

    “In February, 2004, at least 975 people were killed in Yelwa-Shendam, Plateau State. No mourning by the then ruling PDP.

    “Between November 28 and 29, 2008, Jos was in flames again, with 381 deaths.  No mourning.

    “In 2010, 992 people killed in Jos. Mum was the word.

    “In 2014 alone, according to Global Terrorism Index, at least 1,229 people were killed in the Middle Belt. No mourning.” he said

    Boko Haram killings in PDP years, he said, were over 10,000 while PDP flags were still fluttering proudly in the sky.

    He added: “Those who take pleasure in twisting statements from the Presidency may claim we are saying that many more people were killed under PDP than under President Muhammadu Buhari. It would be unconscionable to do so.

    “The intendment of this statement is to show that wanton killings had been with us for awhile; this government is working towards enduring solutions; and should be given the opportunity to do so.

    “Even a single soul is precious, and no man should take a life, which he cannot create. But when tragic situations as had happened in Plateau State occur, such should never be used to play crude politics. Those who wont to do so should have change of hearts, or lose their very humanity.”

    Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari said the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) had resolved to meet with security chiefs to evolve a holistic solution to insecurity challenges.

    He said: “The forum strongly condemned recent attacks in Plateau State and the spate of insecurity in the country.

    “Members commiserated with the government and people of Plateau and other states, including victims who were caught in transit travelling to and from neighbouring states.

    “Governors unanimously called for the prosecution of the perpetrators of the attacks and resolved to find a quick and common solution to the security crises.

    “The forum resolved to pay a condolence visit to Plateau State to commiserate with the government and people of the state.’’

    According to Yari, the governors commended President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbanjo for their quick response and visit to Plateau, to sympathise with the people of the state.

    He also commended Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong for the way he handled the situation.

    Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) President Biodun Ogunyemi said: “We are alarmed at the spate of insecurity in the country, going by what has just happened in Jos. This country has become increasingly unsafe.

    “Do not forget that where there is no safety and peace, there is equally no development.

    “Now, having said this, we all know that education remains the backbone upon which every other sector thrives.

    “We are of the belief, therefore, that the general insecurity in the country is already affecting the quality of education as well as the quality of lives of Nigerians and, therefore, needs urgent intervention.”

    “The Federal Government must as a matter of urgency deploy all measures to arrest this unfortunate situation to re-assure Nigerians of their safety and freedom to live and work in any part of the country.”

    Ezekwesili accused President Buhari of bias in the handling of the herdsmen/farmers crises, saying he should stop the killigs as Nigeria should not be turned into a vast killing field.

    Other demands on the President by Mrs Ezekwesili include:

    • share the credible strategy and solutions of your administration to the daily killings of Nigerians with the people;
    • reveal the identities of all the perpetrators of at least all killings that have happened under your administration in Plateau, Benue, Taraba, Kaduna, Zamfara, Adamawa, Nassarawa, Kogi and other states and the state of judicial proceedings to secure deterrent sanctions; •reveal the identities, arrest and array all suspected murderers in court now;
    • end the freedom to kill and maim that the Nigerian has handed to terrorist-herdsmen. Commence effective investigation, arrest, prosecution and sanction of perpetrators of violent crimes in all affected states now.
    • give justice to the dead now and secure the living in all affected communities.
    • end the ineffectiveness of our security establishments, systems and processes now.
    • stop rewarding the incompetence and failure of leadership of the security architecture of Nigeria. The cost of their failure is extremely high in the 1,196 (approx.) Nigerians that have died in only the first five and half months of this year.
    • end your loyalty to your service chiefs and head of security because of their loyalty to your person. It is a breach of the oath you swore into office to place Nigeria above your personal interest. It is simply put, an abuse of office.
    • stop your cold and visible lack of empathy toward a segment of your citizens who are daily killed with impunity while you personally make and issue statements that include endorsing their killers’ scandalous justification of their crime as a mere retaliatory act for lost cows

    In a statement by its Secretary General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, the JNI said “It is very demoralizing after experiencing three solid years of success stories of harmonious coexistence between the citizenry on the Plateau to have woken up back to the black-dark days of bloodbath of the past.

    “Despite the fact that in the past three years, there has been success stories of peaceful coexistence between the inhabitants of Plateau state. It is disheartening that once again, human life does not matter to some disgruntled elements within the nation.”

     

  • Labour warns Fed Govt over killings, insecurity

    The organised labour has warned the Federal Government over the killing of innocent citizens across the country.

    The organised labour in separate statements expressed worry over the insecurity threatening the nation.

    The United Labour Congress (ULC), in a statement signed by its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, described the recent killings in Plateau State as the most barbaric and wicked.

    He lamented the insensitivity of the government and security agencies.

    “We have watched with heightened fear as lives and property of Nigerians are wasted daily in our communities especially in the North East and North Central. We have raised alarm severally but our leaders seem to have become deaf and insensitive to the bloodlettings and the butchering of innocent lives in these communities. It is like we have bred a crop of leadership that are inured to the deaths and sufferings of fellow Nigerians to the extent that they have become impervious to the cries of anguish from Nigerians.

    “The galling reports of the slaughtering of men, women and children and the recent sacking of whole communities in Plateau State has left us panting for breathe and wondering whether we still have a group of people whose duty it is to ensure that lives and property are protected”.

    Ajaero said the mindless butchering of about 200 persons was the height of the exacerbated insecurity challenge threatening the nation.

    He said it was a clear demonstration of a total system failure in governance at all levels.

    “It shows that the government in Nigeria has collapsed completely. The near helplessness and wringing of hands by those in charge; the buck-passing and the blame game leave us deeply worried and aghast. A serious sign of a failing state if not a failed state.

    “It is mind-boggling to see the entire national security apparatus lying prostrate in the face of this rabid wantonness. It is unbelievable that the same security agencies to which billions of naira were allocated annually cannot stop the continued extermination of lives of fellow citizens in these numbers. It is completely paradoxical that same security operatives, who can swiftly harass, intimidate and arrest sitting Senators and Supreme Court judges cannot gather enough intelligence to stop these killings that have become a daily occurrence and a signpost of the depth of governance failure and decrepitude in Nigeria,” he said.

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) described it as senseless, saying that it threatens to shatter, once and for all, the bonds of brotherhood and peaceful co-existence.

    “We are disturbed by the range of targets, the duration of these attacks and the scope of casualties and destruction. Even in a full-scale war with another country, the statistics are numbing.

    “Therefore, for the umpteenth time, we condemn these killings in their entirerity. They are senseless and barbaric and threaten to shatter, once and for all, the bonds of brotherhood and peaceful co-existence.

    “Accordingly, our security, though stretched, must be seen to do more to restore the confidence of the civil populace. If the emerging allegations are true that the attacks went on unchecked for hours, then something needs to be done about the reaction time of our dedicated internal security operations in the state,”Ayuba said.

    He said the Federal and Plateau State Governments, in consultation with the parties to this bloody conflict, should design a framework for an enduring peace, including taking pro-active measures.

    He said governments should quickly move to rebuild these communities and restore shattered lives as well as put an end to the anarchy.

  • PDP shedding crocodile tears over Plateau killings – Presidency

    The Presidency on Thursday said that the sad and unfortunate killings in Plateau State over the weekend is been used to play irresponsible politics, particularly by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The PDP has declared seven days of mourning.over the killings.

    A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said “These are dolorous times that call for deep introspection on how cheap human lives have become, and the proffering of actionable ideas on how to get out of the bind. But the PDP would rather dance on the graves of the dead, playing cheap, infantile politics.

    “The comatose and prostrate party is declaring seven days of mourning, during which flags in its offices would be flown at half mast nationwide. But unknown to the party, those flags had been forcefully lowered since its 2015 loss at the polls, and may remain so for a long time to come, because Nigerians are politically discerning, and cannot be hoodwinked by cheap antics.

    “A quick checklist of some savage and brutal killings in Nigeria during PDP rule, between 1999 and 2015, for which no national mourning was declared:

    “November 20, 1999. Odi, in Bayelsa State, was invaded on orders of a PDP President. About 2,500 people killed. No national mourning.

    “Between February and May, 2000, about 5,000 people were killed during riots over Sharia law in different parts of the North. No national mourning.

    “In 2001, hundreds of people, including the old, infirm, women and children were killed in Zaki Biam. No crocodile tears.

    “Between September 7-12, 2001, Jos, Plateau State, erupted in internecine killings. Between 500 and 1,000 people were killed. Flags were not flown at half mast.

    “In February, 2004, at least 975 people were killed in Yelwa-Shendam, Plateau State. No mourning by the then ruling PDP.

    “Between November 28 and 29, 2008, Jos was in flames again, with 381 deaths. No mourning.

    “In 2010, 992 people killed in Jos. Mum was the word.

    Read Also: Plateau Killings: Residents on guard against attack

    “In 2014 alone, according to Global Terrorism Index, at least 1,229 people were killed in the Middle Belt. No mourning.” he said

    Boko Haram killings in PDP years, he said, were over 10,000 while PDP flags were still fluttering proudly in the sky.

    He added “Those who take pleasure in twisting statements from the Presidency may claim we are saying that many more people were killed under PDP than under President Muhammadu Buhari. It would be unconscionable to do so.

    “The intendment of this statement is to show that wanton killings had been with us for awhile; this government is working towards enduring solutions; and should be given the opportunity to do so.

    “Even a single soul is precious, and no man should take a life, which he cannot create. But when tragic situations as had happened in Plateau State occur, such should never be used to play crude politics. Those who wont to do so should have change of hearts, or lose their very humanity.” he said.