By Isa Abdulsalami Ahovi Jos
Plateau State has been thrown into fresh mourning following the killing, on Friday night, of no fewer than eight persons by gunmen in Rawuru Community of Barkin Ladi Local Council of the state.
Tragedy struck just as the residents were still grieving over similar attack on Monday, June 13, which claimed 21 lives.
A youth activist from the community, Solomon Dalyop, confirmed the killings while speaking with journalists, yesterday, in Jos.
Dalyop said they were astounded because some soldiers were seen in the afternoon of that fateful Friday before the attack in the night. He expressed surprise that invaders could attack successfully without being challenged by security operatives.
President, Global Society for Middle Belt Heritage, Jerry Datim, accused the military task force, drafted to maintain peace and order in the state, of engaging in untoward activities and called for probe into their activities.
Datim pointed out that no fever than 276 persons had been massacred in the past one month, and over 30,000 persons displaced, following persistent attacks.
He condemned the silence of State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), which did not see it expedient to help the displaced persons.
Urging the Federal Government to replace all military personnel at checkpoints in the state with the mobile police force for more operational results, he asserted that the welfare and security of casualties should be taken care of by the Federal Government.
According to him, Fulani’s leaders should be held responsible for any subsequent attack.
However, the military had not reacted to alleged negligence at the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, Conflict Mitigation and Management Regional Council (CMMRC) has condemned the gruesome destruction of lives, animals and farm produce in parts of Plateau State.
The Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), therefore, called on the state government to swiftly investigate the killing of innocent citizens and bring the culprits to justice.
CMMRC Secretary, Sadeeq Hongs, in a statement, yesterday, urged Plateau citizens to maintain law and order, even while expressing their grievances on the state of affairs in their communities.
“We share in the grief of those who lost their loved ones. We commiserate with them and pray God to comfort and strengthen them.
“We demand that all the organs, persons and authorities of the government of Plateau State should promote and preserve peace, while praying for wisdom, courage and willingness to do what is right to achieve peace and tranquility throughout the state,” he added.
Hongs lamented that about 276 persons had been massacred in the past one month and over 30,000 displaced following the attacks in Plateau communities.
Source: The Guardian