The Plateau Initiative for Development and Advancement of the Natives (PIDAN) has expressed sadness with the return of heartless killings and indiscriminate arrest of citizens of the state.

PIDAN made its feelings known in a statement jointly signed by its President Prof Aboi Madaki and Secretary General, Comrade Nanle Gujor and made available to Viewpoint Nigeria. The organization, which is the umbrella body of all indigenous Ethnic Development Associations in Plateau State, described the return of attacks and killings of unarmed and law abiding citizens in state, specifically in Dalang, in Mangu LGA and Adu in Bassa LGA, as callous, heartless and condemnable.

The Organization called on the people of the State to strengthen their respective security architectures in collaboration with the relevant security outfits to stem out the continued invasions and killing of our people in the state. The Organization, which acknowledged and commended the efforts of both the Federal and State Governments, for the steps put in place to curb these rising attacks and killings in the State, appealed for more intensive and collaborative actions by governments and the respective communities to end these senseless attacks and killings of innocent citizens by enemies of the state.

The statement directed leaders of all the Community Associations to monitor movements within their domains, and report appropriately to the security outfits suspicious activities they noticed. PIDAN, which expressed worries on the indiscriminate arrests of law abiding citizens, stressed it’s opposition of any unlawful acts by any person or Groups “While we frown at the involvement of people who engage in criminal activities, we are however worried at the indiscriminate arrests of some Traditional Rulers and people, without proper investigation.

“We appeal to security personnel to always undertake thorough investigations, before making any arrest. The recent arrests and detention of people in Panyam, in the aftermath over the alleged missing of an Ardo; has the capacity to create and or breach the peace of the communities.

“We are also saddened by the activities of wicked herdsmen for their continued unlawful grazing, especially at Kwi and Jol, where crops are destroyed. We call on Security agencies to save our farmers and prevent the looming food crisis if the actions of the perpetrators is not checked”.

The Organization expressed appreciation to the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Remi Tinubu, for visiting and identifying with State, where she donated N500,000,000.00 to 500 families affected by the activities of bandits. It appealed to the State Government to appropriately dispose the money without any divide.

The statement further commended Col US Abdulsalam, for his frantic efforts, on resumption of duty in the State, and urged him not to relent on any steps aimed at the restoration of peace and peaceful coexistence in the area of his coverage.

“We urged him not to relent on any steps aimed at the restoration of permanent peace and peaceful coexistence. We urge other Sector Commanders to emulate him. Our people are ever accommodative and peaceful, but they should not be taken for granted” the statement concluded.

count | 254

PIDAN Decries Return of Heartless Killings and Indiscriminate Arrest of Citizens in Plateau State