Equity International has appealed to the Federal Government and Security Agencies to take urgent measures to curb the spate of insecurity in North Central State, Plateau.
The Group charged Government at all levels to ensure that the Perpetrators of the attacks, killings and looting of property in Mangu, Bokkos and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas are arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.

These calls were made by Amb. Chris Iyama on behalf of the Group while addressing Journalists during a Press Conference on the killings in Mangu, Bokkos and other Local Government Areas of the State between 24th December, 2023 and 28th January, 2024.

He hinted that the Press Conference became expedient to address the World on the series of sad and unfortunate events that occured Mangu, Bokkos and other Local Government Areas of Plateau State.

He disclosed that the unfortunate events culminated in the killing of at least 230 innocent people within just a month.

“What is most painful about these unfortunate killings is that people were preparing to celebrate Christmas and in the dead of the night, they were slaughtered. The enemies of humanity slaughter women, children and few weeks old new born babies.

“What is more worrisome is that these attacked went on unabated for hours without restrain from security agencies or anyone else. As an organization we condemn this unprovoked attack on humanity, regardless of the reasons behind them. There is no justification for the killing of innocent people at night in their sleep.

“We wish to call on government at all levels to do the needful in ensuring that the perpetrators are arrested and made to pay in accordance with the law. “We are aware that the Plateau State Governor does not command troops to make arrests, hence we are calling on the National Assembly to expedite action and pass the law to enable for the creation of State Police so that Governors can take swift actions considering that they are the first respondents in the event of any security problems.

“We wish to also call for immediate initiation of modalities to compensate communities whose property and farmlands were destroyed, thereby creating huge implication for food security and scarcity in the coming days. This is because the communities attacked are one of the largest farming communities in Plateau State and Nigeria at large.

“We are particularly concerned about these attacks because they seem to be targeting our Christian communities and Churches, this to us is an attempt to systematically annihilate our brethren in Plateau State. We fear that this is nothing but pure act of terror and genocide against the plateau people and the nation at large” he said.

The group called on security agencies to live up to their responsibilities of protecting innocent and helpless citizens.

The group said it is deeply concerned that these attacks and killings took place despite the visit of the federal government led by the Nation’s Vice President and security Security Chiefs to the affected local government and communities earlier in the Month.

“We have not recorded significant progress with security in the affected areas.

“According to reports, most of the communities are not accessible and these are the claims of the military and other security agencies. The claims that most of the communities affected are not accessible laughable and the same time heart breaking because we wonder how election materials get to those places during election and anytime the politicians are seeking for their votes. Our security agencies have no other business but to secure lives and properties.

“We’re calling on the federal government and security agencies to intensify efforts in securing the lives of our brothers and sisters in the under served and under protected Communities.

“We’re calling on Federal Government and security agencies to immediately reclaim and secure all abandoned farm lands, and abandoned homes so that all the farmers who left their ancestral lands can feel safe to return to their communities and their farm lands.

“We are also calling on the the National Emergency Management Agency to intensify humanitarian support to all the affected communities.

“Our appeal to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) to demonstrate by actions the “Renewed Hope” he promised Nigerians in order for the people of Plateau State to enjoy the relative peace they enjoyed before the advent of his administration” the statement concluded.

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Plateau Killings: Equity International Calls for Urgent Measures to Address Insecurity