As the outrage over the killing of hundreds of villagers in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau continues, the major questions on the minds of those who have seen these killings over and over again, is if justice will be done? The other critical question has to do with whether the indignation and righteous anger in the wake of the loss of lives will end further massacres. The decimation of Nigerians in Plateau State is coming in the wake of the accidental drone strike with wiped out not less than 150 citizens in Tudun Biri, a village in Igabi Local Government Area (LGA) on December 3.
Added to the emerging questions around the Christmas eve killings is the issue of what the Nigerian State, through the Presidency of Bola Ahmed Tinubu can do to end the bloodletting. With the body count in the Plateau attacks reaching 150 dead and many others injured, there apparently is no doubt that the killing fields have cemented the notion that life is of no value, and can be violently taken, with no consequence or any form of accountability.
Incidentally, the very first issue addressed in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is security, which the document describes as the bedrock of a prosperous and democratic society. President Tinubu therefore promised that the Nigerian State during his Presidency will mobilise the totality of Nigeria’s national security, military and law enforcement assets to protect all Nigerians from danger and from the fear of danger.
The President said: “We will expand and improve upon the use of technology, enhance recruitment of personnel, and bolster existing agencies and systems to achieve this fundamental national security goal.” Another major commitment, which the President’s campaign harped on is its readiness to have in place a highly trained and disciplined anti-terrorist battalions (ABATTS) with special forces units. Their objective, the agenda notes, will be focused on seizing the strategic and tactical initiative, giving terrorists, kidnappers and bandits no respite. As the recent attacks on Plateau communities have shown, it is the citizens that continue to lose sleep and in many cases, their lives.
As expected, the humanitarian crisis precipitated by the dastardly killings will see not less than 6,000 people displaced. Little wonder, stakeholders have started raising concerns over the capacity of the State to end the killing of innocent citizens. One such reaction was from the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), which condemned the heinous attacks in Plateau and called for a change in military tactics to confront those responsible for the heinous crimes. For Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, Director, Publicity and Advocacy, NEF’s concern centers around the inability of the military to prevent the Christmas Eve killings, despite claiming to have promptly responded to 36 distress calls from different locations in Plateau State in the 48 hours leading up to Christmas.
The group said: “NEF questions whether the strategies employed by the government are flawed or grossly inadequate, given the audacious regularity and ease with which the attackers operate across the northern region. NEF is also deeply concerned about the recent security incident in Ruwan Dorawa village, Zamfara State that unfolded on the same Christmas Eve resulting in the loss of two innocent lives and the abduction of over 25 individuals, predominantly children and women, including the wife of the village head.
“In light of this incident and the escalating security challenges faced by the region, NEF urgently demands a comprehensive investigation into the reported security lapse in Ruwan Dorawa village. The findings of this inquiry must be made public, and those responsible for the security breach must be held accountable to ensure justice for the victims and prevent such incidents from reoccurring,” the statement said.
The Forum also called upon the relevant authorities to give immediate attention to the several administrative and judicial commissions of inquiry reports concerning security incidents in Plateau, Kaduna and other conflict areas in the North.
Also, Kwara State governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, described the attacks on Plateau villages as shocking and sad. In a statement on Tuesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, the governor asked the security agencies to get to the root of the incident. He condoled with the people and government of Plateau, especially the bereaved families. He said nothing could justify the violence visited on innocent people, just as he urged the security agencies to get to the roots of the incident and bring perpetrators to book.
Similarly, the Northern States Governors’ Forum described the attacks as reprehensible and heinous. Its chairman and governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, expressed deepest condolences to the affected families and communities as well as the government and people of Plateau State. In a statement by his spokesman, Ismaila Uba Misilli, he said it was reprehensible and disheartening to hear the loss of over 100 hundred lives and destruction of properties that occurred during these attacks, especially during a time when residents were preparing to celebrate the festive season.
“Such acts of violence are not only cowardly but also run counter to the spirit of unity and coexistence that our region upholds. We must all prioritise peace and harmonious living in our communities. Now, more than ever, we must reaffirm our commitment to peaceful coexistence and solidarity regardless of our differences. We must unite in our commitment to peace and security, and stand firm against all forms of violence and division,” the governor warned in the statement.”
Yahaya commended Governor Caleb Mutfwang for his leadership and responsible handling of the situation in the aftermath of the attacks and assured him that the northern governors stood united in solidarity with him in the face of adversity and would work together towards lasting peace in Plateau State. He commended the security agencies operating in the area, and implored them to redouble their efforts in safeguarding the lives and property of the people, harping on urgent need for increased vigilance and swift action to ensure the safety of all citizens. He also urged members of the communities to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activities to the security agencies for immediate intervention.
Similarly, the Northern Senator’s Forum condemned the mass killings, describing the act as indefensible, devoid of reason, and stains on Nigeria’s shared humanity. According to the spokesperson of the Senators, Suleiman Kawu Sumaila, the lawmakers called for a thorough investigation into the attacks and the perpetrators apprehended to face the full force of the law. They also urged the federal government to consolidate investigation reports of similar cases, taking necessary action to prevent future occurrences.
“This brutal act is indefensible, devoid of reason, and stains our shared humanity. We unequivocally condemn such heinous acts and express our deepest condolences to the affected families, loved ones, the people, and the Government of Plateau State. Their immense loss is a collective grief, and we stand united in our determination to seek justice.
“In our legislative role, we strongly condemn this reprehensible act and call upon the authorities to promptly initiate a comprehensive investigation. Allocating necessary resources to swiftly identify and apprehend the perpetrators is paramount. They must face the full force of the law, ensuring justice prevails.
The governor of Plateau State, Celeb Mutfwang, said 64 communities in the state had been displaced by terrorists occupying the areas and some schools. Speaking on Channels Television recently, Mutfwang highlighted the immense burden placed on the state by the continuous displacement of citizens due to terrorist activities.
He said, “When people are dislocated from their villages and they have to run for shelter, now we are struggling to provide shelter for these people that have been displaced and dislocated from their communities. If they stay away from those communities for a sustained period of time, the terrorists would come in. As I am talking to you today (Tuesday), in Riyom Local Government, in Barkin Ladi Local Government, schools have been occupied by these terrorists for almost a number of years now. We have not less than 64 communities that have been displaced and their lands have been taken over by these terrorists.”
The governor condemned the perceived inaction under the previous administration, stating that residents felt the terrorists were given official government backing. He emphasised that the current occupation of schools did not happen overnight, with some having been seized for as long as five years.
His words: “Under the last regime, the feeling among people in Plateau State particularly the victims of these terrorist attacks was that it looked as if the terrorists were given official government backing to be able to terrorise them because little or nothing was done to repel these attacks. I can tell you these schools that are being occupied, it didn’t just start now, some of those schools have been occupied in the last three, four, five years.
“Children therefore in those schools have not been able to go to school, they have to relocate; we even have primary health care centres abandoned because of these terrorists, which means that our health care system is put in jeopardy, what do we need to do? I think this is where the president needs to come in,” he added.
On its part, the Presidency has been swift to strongly condemn the killings. President Tinubu, in a statement on Tuesday by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, directed security agencies to immediately move in, scour every stretch of the zone, and apprehend the culprits. President Tinubu also directed immediate mobilisation of relief resources for surviving victims of the primitive and cruel attacks as well as medical treatment for the wounded. The Explainer learnt that communities attacked in Bokkos Local Government Area include; Ndun, Ngyong, Murfet, Makundary, Tamiso, Chiang, Tahore, Gawarba, Dares, Meyenga, Darwat and Butura Kampani. In Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area, the affected areas are Ntv, Hurum and Darawat. Close watchers of the situation would be waiting to see if this colossal loss of lives will finally jolt the nation’s security architecture to put in place proactive measures to end the unrelenting assault on human lives.
