The Plateau Initiative for Development and Advancement of the Natives (PIDAN) has hinted at partiality on the part of government in the handling of the crisis that is rocking Plateau State that culminated in the killing of 23 Fulani travellers in Jos, the state capital, on Sunday.
The position of PIDAN comes as heads of security agencies in Plateau State on Sunday briefed Governor Simon Bako Lalong on the security situation in the State and the level of implementation of the curfew imposed on Jos North, Jos South and Bassa LGAs.
The heads of the security agencies present at the closed-door meeting with the Governor include the Commander, Operation Safe Haven and GOC 3rd Armoured Division, Commissioner of Police, Airforce Commander, and State Director DSS.
PIDAN, however, says it is appalled by the incessant killings of people in Irigwe land and Jos environs over the last two weeks.
PIDAN in the statement by its President, Prof Madaki JKA, and its Secretary-General, Nanle Gujor, wrote: “We condemn in strongest terms the attacks on law abiding citizens by any group of persons by whatever name and by any reason because life is sacrosanct. We are perplexed by the lackluster performance of the security agencies in curbing the wanton destruction of property and loss of lives in Bassa and Jos North LGAs.
“We wish to identify with those families who lost their beloved ones and pray that God will grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable losses and grant the souls of the departed eternal rest.
“The escalating violence in Bassa and Jos North LGAs of Plateau since 2nd August 2021 to date has been of grave concern to us and all peace loving people of Plateau State. In the first week of August, an autochthone – the Irigwe had been at the receiving end of massive attacks from suspected Fulani militias resulting in massive destruction of property and lost of lives.
“Following the unfortunate incidence in Bassa, the Irigwe Development Association recorded 68 deaths, destruction of over 500 homes and displacement of over 30,000 persons.
“While we were mourning, we expect the Government to have used such a period to beef up security in all nooks and crannies of Jos and its environs but such has not been the case.
“On the 13-08-2021, when the Irigwe were having mass burial of their victims, a convoy of five buses filled with able bodied men with a claim that they were from Bauchi going to Ilaro in Ondo State was intercepted at Rukuba Road where a fracas ensued between them and the Youth resulting in deaths of 23 persons as reported by the press.
“We are very much worried at the insensitivity of the some members of the public to the plight of Natives on the Plateau. Why would any group of right thinking Nigerians fill a series of vehicles with able bodied men and attempt to pass through a community undergoing mass burial when there are more secure alternative routes to continue in their journey?
“We call on the security agencies to thoroughly investigate this incident and make their findings known to the public on the real mission of the group involved in this ugly situation.
“We take exception to the statement credited to PPRO of the Police Command in Plateau State on the unfortunate incident at Rukuba Road where he was reported to have said that the killings and skirmishes at Rukuba Road were carried out by Irigwe Youths and their mourners. Rukuba Road is cosmopolitan and we do not know how he arrived at such a conclusion at such speed when for weeks they have not been able to unravel the killers at Miango.
“We take the PPRO’s statement as insensitive, capable of generating hatred towards the Irigwe Youths and escalating the tension in the State. We are equally shocked with the swift reactions of the security agencies and the quick response from the Presidency on the incident at Rukuba Road when same were not displayed on the killings that went on for days in Irigwe land.
“We condemn Government selective treatment of killings on the Plateau and ask for equity and justice in the handling of the security challenges in the State.
“We wish to call on the State Government and the security agencies to be awake to their responsibility and provide security to the people in line with their cardinal responsibility as enshrined under section 14(2) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We equally wish to appeal to all autochthones not to take the laws into their hands but to be extremely vigilant and report all suspicious movements and suspects to the law efforcement agents.
“PIDAN wishes to further reiterate its stand with the Irigwe nation at this time of grief and pray that God almighty will grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
Briefing newsmen after the meeting, Commissioner of Police Edward Egbuka said the various heads of security agencies briefed the Governor on the security situation which he said was under control.
He said the imposition of the 24 hour curfew in Jos North from this Sunday has curtailed the spread of violence in the Jos metropolis where 7 persons were killed.
According to him, a total of 36 persons from yesterday’s attack were rescued unhurt and in good condition. He said so far, more persons have been arrested and investigation is still ongoing.
CP Egbuka also addressed the controversy over the identity of those behind the attacks saying: “these are miscreants and hoodlums who want to take advantage of the situation to cause trouble and loot. This is not the first time it has happened. We don’t want to name anybody. It’s just miscreants and miscreants will also want to take advantage”.
He assured that the security agencies will go all out to ensure that they fish out the criminals and miscreants who must be made to face the law of the land.
He advised the citizens to abide by the curfew and avoid violations as the security agencies are poised to enforce the directives of the Governor in maintaining law and order.
