BEING A PRESS STATEMENT OF THE APC YOUTHS ONLINE FORUM, PLATEAU STATE ON THE KILLINGS IN PLATEAU STATE
28TH JUNE, 2018

My Dear compatriots, it is very imperative to address you today following the unfortunate incidence that has led to loss of lives and wanton destruction of properties in the Northern Senatorial District where the people of Ruku, Nghar, razat, kura, ropp district, dorowa Babuje, Gashish were gruesomely murdered with over 200 casualties recorded and other villages in Mangu,Bokkos,Bassa and Riyom that have come over attacks recently by suspected herdsmen.
We vehemently condemn these cowardly, dastardly and calculated attacks on our people and demand the immediate arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators the act.
We call on the federal Government led by our detribalized and patriotic president Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of public importance mandate the security agencies to question the statements attributed to the North Central chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association Of Nigeria (MACBAN) Danladi Ciroma who has given a lead about the perpetrators of the attack by referring to it as retaliatory,where he justified the killings on the basis of over 300 cows allegedly rustled by some natives of Barkin ladi.
In as much as we don’t condone criminality by acts of cattle rustling, we also do not accept any individual or group that resort to taking laws into their hands by killing and maiming innocent women and children, or the cowardly acts of blocking the federal highways and killing innocent travelers by setting their vehicles ablaze.
We want to also in strong terms condemn the peaceful protest that turned violent as held yesterday the 27th of June,2018 led by the Christian Association of Nigeria that was hijacked by some hoodlums that vandalized public properties and smashed vehicles worth millions of naira.
CAN should come out and condemn the attacks so that it will not send a wrong signal of partisanship and dragging the name of the church in the mud as its well intended peaceful protest ended in violence.
We want to also condemn the activities of the opposition in the state that have been feasting on the attacks to core cheap political points by spreading propaganda, inciting the public and encouraging hate speeches on social media.
This is a Plateau project that involves all the citizens of Plateau to rise up across party lines, ethnic differences and religious bigotry to face a common enemy that are hell bent on capturing our land.
Gentlemen of the Press and my dear compatriots, while we mourn and have a rethink on our coexistence as a people, we want to commiserate with the families of the victims and those displaced from their homes.
We also want to thank the executive Governor of plateau State Rt Hon.Simon Bako Lalong for his quick response in making sure that, security operatives were swiftly mobilized and conscious efforts were made to make sure peace and normalcy was restored in the affected communities.
We also want to thank the federal government for its concerns by the quick reaction of the vice president’s visit and subsequently, President Muhammadu Buhari,Senate President as well,the former president, chief Olusegun Obasanjo. We appreciate the response and show of care at this trying moment of grief in the state.

RESOLUTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FORUM

1. We call for the establishment of a state owned localized security outfits to compliment the efforts of the existing security architecture that is overstretched.
2. The introduction of a community justice system whereby defaulters will be treated by the settlers in conjunction with the state government, vigilante groups, village heads, Ardos etc.
3. The full implementation of the Plateau roadmap to peace document as championed by the Plateau peace building agency that has compensation plans that entails rebuilding and restoration of affected communities.
4. Rehabilitation programmes for traumatized victims and internally displaced persons that have fled from their ancestral homes.
5. Government should reclaim the villages and lands overpowered by the herdsmen and secure it for the natives as a matter of significance.

Gentlemen of the Press, let me end on this note with a renowned quote ascribed to J.F Kennedy “An eye for an eye make the world blind”
Thank you for coming and honoring our invitation.

LONG LIVE THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
LONG LIVE PLATEAU STATE
LONG LIVE THE ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS
LONG LIVE THE APC YOUTHS ONLINE FORUM

CHAIRMAN SECRETARY
Pius D. Tongmaan Makut Alfred Mashat

count | 65

Press Release: APC Youths Online demand immediate arrest and prosecution of perpetrators of plateau killings…