By Cross Udo and Nathaniel Zacchaeus
Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, yesterday described the “lack of political will” by the Federal Government to flush out marauding terrorists in the state.
He said insurgents have been occupying schools in the Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area of the state for five years without being dislodged.
Mutfwang, who was a guest on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme yesterday, spoke against the backdrop of Christmas Eve simultaneous attacks by assailants on over 15 communities in the Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas of the state.
The latest attacks have so far claimed over 115 lives with scores of others injured and hundreds of houses torched.
He said the crisis on the Plateau has continued to escalate because no arrest has been made so far by security agents.
Grieving Mutfwang said the attacks were unprovoked and tasked security agents to unravel the sponsors of the “carnage” and their blood-thirsty foot soldiers.
He said, “Just when we had finished preparations for Christmas, unprovoked attacks were unleashed on our communities.”
Several houses were set ablaze by the attackers on Sunday night. The gun-wielding and blood-curling men also looted farm produce and destroyed properties as they butchered the residents.
“As I am talking to you, in Mangu Local Government alone, we buried 15 people. As of this morning, in Bokkos, we are counting over 100 corpses. In Barkin-Ladi Local Government, schools have been occupied by these terrorists for some years now. Not less than 64 communities have been displaced and the lands have been taken over by these marauding terrorists,” he added.
The governor said the attacks were “unprecedented and monumental”, noting that though the assailants intended to break the spirit of the people and pull down the two local governments, the spirit of the people on the Plateau remained unfazed.
Mutfwang, however, said the response time by security agents, especially the men of the Nigerian Army can be better.
“We must stop this carnage,” the governor said matter-of-factly, adding that security agents “cannot continue with this reactionary strategy but be proactive.”
The governor also said the attacks were connected to land disputes between aboriginal dwellers and marauding terrorists.
He warned that the people attacked could defend themselves but it might get to a time that the people might not be able to restrain themselves from defending themselves and their lands against the assailants.
The governor further noted that he would approach President Bola Tinubu to give clear instructions to security agents to protect the people on the Plateau against their land-grabbing attackers.
He said, “I will be talking to Mr President on this. We need to summon the political will to give instructions to security agencies to protect the territorial integrity of Nigeria and even the internal integrity of our land boundaries.”
Mutfwang said the persistent attacks on the people of the Plateau were not unconnected to land matters, adding that non-aboriginal dwellers can get lands on the Plateau but not through violence.
“There are ways of acquiring lands, not through violence and we must be able to resort to constitutionalism in dealing with these issues.
“People who want land on the Plateau are free to approach the communities, negotiate, and settle in those communities. I don’t think people will refuse but where they resort to violence to take over those lands, you will be sure that this is a time bomb because it will reach a time when people react,
Mutfwang lamented that part of the problem on the Plateau was because no arrest or prosecution had been made in connection with the dastard attacks over the years.
“Part of the problem we have is that so far, there have been no arrests, no prosecution, and as far as we do not confront this issue headline, some people feel their attackers are being protected.”
He said, “Under the last regime, the feeling of the people in Plateau State, particularly the victims of these terrorist attacks, is that it looks as if the terrorists were given official government backing to be able to terrorise them because little or nothing was done to repel these attacks.
“I can tell you that these schools that are being occupied didn’t start now; some of those schools have been occupied for the last three to five years. Children in those schools have had to relocate, and primary healthcare centres have been abandoned.”
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*Tinubu directs security agencies to fish out culprits
President Bola Tinubu has directed the security agencies to immediately apprehend those behind the heinous and brutal attacks in Bokkos and Barki-Ladi local government areas of Plateau State.
The President also condemned the bastardly act that resulted in the tragic loss of many lives.
Tinubu’s directive to the security agencies was made public via a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.
The statement read, “President Tinubu directs security agencies to immediately move in, scour every stretch of the zone, and apprehend the culprits.
“The President also directs immediate mobilization of relief resources for surviving victims of the primitive and cruel attacks as well as medical treatment for the wounded.
“While condoling with the government and the people of Plateau State, President Tinubu assures Nigerians that these envoys of death, pain, and sorrow will not escape justice.”
*CAN, Northern govs, Senators condemn attacks, seek probe
Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday condemned the Christmas Eve attacks on several communities of Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi LGAs of Plateau that left over 100 people dead and several houses set ablaze.
President of CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, in a statement, maintained that the assault on the community was a threat to the nation’s harmony and shared values.
He said, “We condemn these acts of violence in the strongest possible terms. The burning down of houses, and worship centres, and the destruction of properties worth millions of naira is not only a criminal act but also a direct assault on our shared values of peace, unity, and mutual respect. Such acts have no place in our society and must not be allowed to prevail.”
The body said it stands with the victims at this time of grief.
“We mourn with the families, friends, and communities who tragically lost their loved ones in the villages of Ruku, Hurum, Darwat, Mai Yanga Sabo, NTV, and Lisham Kwahasnat community in Wase LGA. We stand with you at this time of grief, and our prayers go out to you for comfort and strength. The loss of lives, including those of our brethren in the Baptist Church in Chirang village, is a devastating blow to our collective peace and unity.”
While commending the speedy efforts of a joint police and military task force to bring some sense of normalcy, Archbishop Okoh appealed to security intelligence to fashion out proactive measures to prevent future occurrences of such events.
“We commend the swift intervention of the Military and the deployment of a joint police and military task force to restore peace and prevent further lawlessness in the affected communities. We recognise the efforts of State Governor Caleb Mutfwang in calling for peace and unity amid such adversity.
“However, while appreciating these immediate responses, we urge the security agencies to intensify their efforts in intelligence gathering and proactive interventions to pre-empt and forestall these types of dastardly acts in the future. Our people deserve to live in peace, and it is high time we moved from reactive to preventive measures,” he added.
The body also implored for peace and unity among the indigenes of the state as they support the affected communities with relief materials
“We believe in the unity and strength of our nation. We acknowledge the resilience of the people of Plateau State and the nation at large. We must reinforce this unity and resilience in the face of such adversity. Let us shun all forms of violence and embrace the peace and unity that our nation so desperately needs.”
“In this season of love and giving, let us remember the victims and their families not only in our prayers but also by reaching out to them with relief materials. Let us extend our empathy and support, and commit to building a peaceful and prosperous Plateau State and Nigeria as a whole.”
Also, the 19 Northern State Governors’ Forum under the chairmanship of Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, has condemned the brazen attacks on some communities in Plateau state that have claimed over 100 lives describing it as “reprehensible and disheartening”.
In a press statement issued on behalf of the Northern Governors, Yahaya commended Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau for providing the needed leadership in the aftermath of the attacks.
“It is reprehensible and disheartening to hear of the loss of over 100 lives and destruction of properties that occurred during these attacks, especially during a time when residents were preparing to celebrate the festive season.
“Such acts of violence are not only cowardly but also run counter to the spirit of unity and coexistence that our region upholds.
“We must all prioritize peace and harmonious living in our communities. Now, more than ever, we must reaffirm our commitment to peaceful coexistence and solidarity regardless of our differences,” he said.
While commending security operatives for rising to the occasion Governor Inuwa said the attackers and their masterminds must be swiftly brought to book.
Plateau is one of several ethnically and religiously diverse hinterland states, where inter-communal conflict has claimed hundreds of lives in recent years.
The violence is often deemed as an ethno-religious conflict between Muslim herders and mainly Christian farmers.
In the same vein, the Northern Senators Forum has condemned the mass killings in Plateau State and called for a thorough investigation.
A spokesperson for the NSF in the 10th National Assembly, Senator Suleiman Kawu Sumaila, stated this in a statement he issued in Abuja.
More than 115 persons have been confirmed dead following attacks by gunmen on communities in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi LGAs of Plateau State.
The senators condemned the act describing it as a national calamity.
Part of their statement reads, “It is with profound sorrow and a weighty heart that, as a forum, we address you on the recent tragic incident of mass killing in Plateau State.
“This brutal act is indefensible, devoid of reason, and stains our shared humanity. We unequivocally condemn such heinous acts and express our deepest condolences to the affected families, loved ones, the people, and the Government of Plateau State. Their immense loss is a collective grief, and we stand united in our determination to seek justice.
“In our legislative role, we strongly condemn this reprehensible act and call upon the authorities to promptly initiate a comprehensive investigation. Allocating necessary resources to swiftly identify and apprehend the perpetrators is paramount. They must face the full force of the law, ensuring justice prevails.
“During these trying times, unity among citizens is crucial. We must draw on our shared values of compassion, empathy, and respect to support one another and provide solace to those affected. This collective effort will foster resilience to overcome this dark chapter in our history.
“As representatives of the people, we urge the Federal Government to consolidate investigation reports of similar cases, taking necessary action to prevent future occurrences. Moreover, let us reflect on the importance of upholding peace, unity, and understanding within our country.
“We must recommit to fostering an inclusive atmosphere where diversity is celebrated, and differences are resolved through dialogue and peaceful means.”
The senators reiterated their strong condemnation of the mass killing.
They implored everyone to stand united against violence, support the affected families, and trust the law enforcement agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice.
They said, “Together, we shall prevail, and our country will emerge stronger.”
