PRESS STATEMENT
The Nigerian Medical Association notes with consternation the recent attacks on the Plateau which led to senseless loss of numerous lives and commiserates with the good people of Plateau State over this attack. NMA urges security agencies to rise up to the occasion by securing the lives of innocent Nigerian citizens. To us as a profession, life is precious and our calling is its preservation. It is thus sad when lives are being wasted under whatsoever guise.
The Nigerian Medical Association, Plateau State salutes the hard work and commitment of our members who attended to the injured who were brought to the hospitals for care even in the face of difficulties. Some doctors went to the extent of donating blood to save lives while others came out to provide care even when they were not on duty. These acts are greatly appreciated and commendable.
We pray that this kind of man-made disaster will not befall us again.
We call on the Federal and State governments as well as well-meaning Nigerians to do the needful for a lasting solution to this incessant attacks and killings. All hands must be on deck to really tackle the root causes of these problems in order to achieve sustainable peace where lives and property of citizens are protected without fear or favour knowing that peace-building is a powerful deterrent to violence. NMA Plateau State therefore calls for the resolution of differences through dialogue, not violence by strengthening the process of building the pillars of peace from the ground up, using all the necessary instruments of peace-building in a comprehensive and integrated manner which should be continued as a long-term exercise. This is possible by bringing together under one roof the range of skills and ideas available, with analysis stretching beyond the immediate attacks into the root causes. Eradicating the root causes of these attacks necessitates building strong societies that will respect the rule of law to human lives and adhere to the international norms of human rights, as being proactive will spare the lives and sufferings of citizens. The protection and respect of human lives must be seen as crucial and permanent dimensions of any peace-building effort. The government should adopt a holistic and multidisciplinary framework on the ‘‘right track right away.’’
May the souls of the departed rest in peace and may God comfort the entire people of Plateau State. Amen

Dr Dajel Titus Bulus Dr Dawal Kwande Solomon
Chairman Secretary

count | 73

Press Release: Nigerian Medical Association condems plateau killings