The Plateau Initiative for Development and Advancement of the Natives (PIDAN) once again condemns the recent attacks and killings in Irigwe and Afizere lands of Bassa and Jos-East on the 26th and 27th November 2021 respectively where not less than 12 persons lost their lives in addition to wanton destruction of properties. We wish to identify with our people in these communities once again, sympathise with them at these difficult times and pray that God almighty grant the souls of the departed eternal rest and the communities the fortitude to bear the untimely separation from their loved ones. We call on the State government to provide assistance especially with respect to medical bills to those who sustained injuries and are receiving medical treatment.

We are also deeply worried about the attack on the Jos Correctional Services Centre (Jos Prison) on Sunday the 28-11-21. We wish to condole those families who lost their beloved members in the incident and pray for the repose of the souls of the departed.

We believe the spade of three incidents of attacks within three days (26-28/11/21) at different locations (Bassa, Jos-East, Jos-North) in the State is a clear indication that whatever security arrangement that has been put in place to prevent such attacks is ineffective and in dire need of serious and urgent overhaul. We call on the Police Command and the leadership of Operation Safe Haven as a matter of urgency to overhaul the security apparatus to make it more response to early warning, distress calls and provide timely intervention to avert further unnecessary loss of lives and properties.

We are deeply perturbed that despite the social media pre-attacks information that some parts of Plateau especially Jos will be attacked, the security agencies could not institute adequate measures to avert the attack on the Jos Correctional Services Centre. While we note the Controller of Corrections’ statement that some of the attackers were apprehended and some killed, our past experience with some federal-government security agencies’ handling and reporting on such matters gives us cause for concern. This concern is further supported by the social media information that not less than 250 inmates escaped from the Centre. The fact that the attackers have not been named and their pictures not shown to the public strongly suggests that the attackers did escape with those they came to release. Only time shall tell whether our suspicion is correct, however, what is critical now for citizens of the State is to take additional measures to improve on the security of their families, settlements and communities so as to contain with the anticipated increase in criminal activities that would emanate from such a large number of prisoners.
We wish to further caution Plateau citizens to be on the alert and prepare to defend themselves from more attacks and criminal activities given the current rumour-mill information on the planned activities of the Boko Haram, Fulani militia and Killer Herdsmen.

We specifically wish to call on religious leaders, their adherents and all citizens to modify their approach to the celebration of the Christmas season. They should avoid large-crowd ceremonies, worshipping houses night vigils, last minute long stay in market places and maintain stringent vigilance measures in churches, mosques and settlements as we approach and celebrate the Christmas.

We are equally calling on the citizens not to lay off their guard with respect to the COVID-19 disease where the new deadly Omicron variant of the COVID-19 Virus has emerged and would claim more lives especially in those treating the preventive measures of social distancing, face mask use, hands washing and respiratory hygiene with levity.

We wish to urge Citizens to take advantage of the current COVID-19 vaccination going on in the State with both Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines which are being provided free of charge in Government health facilities in the State and get themselves immunised.

We do acknowledge the challenge of the State Government where it lacks the power to give directive to the federally-controlled securities agencies in the State, however, we believe that the State Government has the power and resources to strengthen its own security outfit, the Operation Rainbow, by providing it with the enabling environment and logistics that would allow it to strengthen community-level security arrangements and provide an ‘Amotekun-like services’ to further curb the lingering kidnapping activities in the State.

Finally, we wish to call on the State Government to strengthen its information gathering and processing system to allow for quick reception of early warning and timely liaison with the security agencies so as to shorten the information to-intervention interval and reduce both the number and intensity of attacks and destruction of lives and properties.

We wish the Plateau Citizens Merry Christmas as we enter the last month of the year 2021 and a Prosperous new Year.

Prof Aboi JK Madaki PIDAN President.
Comrade Nanle Gujor – Secretary General.

1-12-2021.

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Rising Incidents of attacks on the Plateau and the coming Christmas Celebration: PIDAN advises Plateau Citizens