President Bola Tinubu has directed security agencies to scout for and apprehend culprits of the Christmas Day attacks in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi local government areas of Plateau state, which left at least 100 persons dead.
Condemning what he called a “primitive and heinous” attack, Tinubu said “these envoys of death, pain, and sorrow will not escape justice.”
It was reported that over 100 persons were killed as armed men attacked 12 communities in Bokkos local government area, while over 17 others died in coordinated attacks on three communities in Barkin Ladi LGA, home to the Plateau State Polytechnic.
According to survivors’ accounts, Monday’s attacks were fallout of the rivalry between herders and settlers.
Property worth millions of naira were also said to have been destroyed.
But the president has assured that the culprits won’t escape the wrath of the law.
He gave the assurance in a statement signed Tuesday by his Special Adviser to on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.
Ngelale said: “President Bola Tinubu strongly condemns the heinous and brutal attacks in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State, which resulted in the tragic loss of many lives.
“President Tinubu directs security agencies to immediately move in, scour every stretch of the zone, and apprehend the culprits.
“The President also directs immediate mobilisation of relief resources for surviving victims of the primitive and cruel attacks as well as a medical treatment for the wounded.”
While condoling with the government and the people of Plateau state, Tinubu assured Nigerians that “these envoys of death, pain, and sorrow will not escape justice.”
…Tasks govs on security
President Tinubu also spoke with state governors in Lagos where he said the federal and sub-national governments of Nigeria have the mutual responsibility of ensuring the country’s peace and stability.
Speaking during a meeting with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) at his residence in Lagos, Tinubu reiterated his condemnation of the latest killings in Plateau state.
Addressing the governors, the president issued a stern directive to security agencies to halt the carnage in Plateau state and intensify the pursuit of those responsible for the recent tragic events.
Condoling with the victims, the president emphasised the sanctity of human life and called for a paradigm shift among those with contrary beliefs, cautioning them about the inevitable consequences of their actions.
“Nigeria needs peace and stability to move forward. Nigeria belongs to all of us, and we have to take care of it,” he said.
The president acknowledged the presence of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers state at the meeting, commending him for his efforts to peacefully resolve the political challenges in the state.
“I thank you for your statesmanship. I listened to your broadcast and your emphasis on peace. It is only with peace that effective governance can thrive, and governance has commenced in earnest under my watch,” he said.
…2024 Appropriation Bill
On the 2024 budget proposals before the National Assembly, the president informed the governors that he had a review meeting earlier in the day on certain elements in the Appropriation Bill, with the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu.
He emphasised the need for joint responsibility and closer collaboration between the federal and sub-national governments to foster rapid infrastructural development in every part of the nation.
“I want us to discard federal, state, or rural road classifications. We must regard development as a joint responsibility. Let us prioritize our children.
“The school feeding programme must return quickly, beginning from the local government to the state and federal governments.
“We must be ready to protect our children and prepare them for the future,” he said.
…NGF chair
Chairman Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Kwara state Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq expressed solidarity with the government and the people of Plateau state.
“May God be with the souls of the departed and bring peace to Plateau State. The Governor of Plateau State, we are with you; stay strong,” the NGF chairman said.
He reaffirmed state governments’ support for the bold decisions and reforms initiated by President Tinubu’s administration.
“These are challenging times. It is not a walk in the park. Removing fuel subsidies had a great structural effect on the economy of the states. But we are confident that we will overcome these challenges and bounce back better,” he said.
… JNI, CAN condemn act
Also, the state chapter Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) condemned in totality the resurgence of violence in the two local government areas.
The condemnation was made Tuesday by the JNI state secretary, Dr Salim Musa, in Jos.
“It is unfortunate that this cycle of violence is resurfacing after many spirited efforts by all relevant stakeholders including the government,” it said.
The JNI extended its condolences to the families of the victims, people of the affected LGAs, and the state, and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured victims.
“We call on the communities to take the lead in nurturing and sustaining their peace. An enforced peace is no peace at all,” it said.
The JNI said the security agencies seemed to be overwhelmed by the skirmishes in the communities.
“They need the support of everyone to succeed and bring the perpetrators to justice. It is a collective responsibility for all to contribute towards sustainable peace,” it said.
The Islamic group called on the government to immediately swing into action by providing relief materials to all affected communities in order to ameliorate their suffering.
It prayed Allah SWT in his infinite mercy, to bring succor, peace in our communities, and restore the lost of humanity, amongst people.
In a similar reaction, the national body of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said violence has no place in the Nigerian society and must therefore be discouraged.
CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh said this in a statement issued Tuesday in Abuja.
The statement reads: “On behalf of the national leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), I express heartfelt condolences over the recent horrifying incidents that have occurred in Plateau State on Christmas Eve.
“We mourn with the families, friends, and communities who tragically lost their loved ones in the villages of Ruku, Hurum, Darwat, Mai Yanga Sabo, NTV, and Lisham Kwahasnat community in Wase LGA. We stand with you at this time of grief, and our prayers go out to you for comfort and strength. The loss of lives, including those of our brethren in the Baptist Church in Chirang village, is a devastating blow to our collective peace and unity.
“We condemn these acts of violence in the strongest possible terms. The burning down of houses, worship centers, and the destruction of properties worth millions of naira is not only a criminal act but also a direct assault on our shared values of peace, unity, and mutual respect. Such acts have no place in our society and must not be allowed to prevail.
“We commend the swift intervention of the Military and the deployment of a joint police and military task force to restore peace and prevent further lawlessness in the affected communities. We recognize the efforts of State Governor Caleb Mutfwang in calling for peace and unity amid such adversity.
“However, while appreciating these immediate responses, we urge the security agencies to intensify their efforts in intelligence gathering and proactive interventions to pre-empt and forestall these types of dastardly acts in the future. Our people deserve to live in peace, and it is high time we moved from reactive to preventive measures.
“We believe in the unity and strength of our nation. We acknowledge the resilience of the people of Plateau State and the nation at large. We must reinforce this unity and resilience in the face of such adversity. Let us shun all forms of violence and embrace the peace and unity that our nation so desperately needs.
“In this season of love and giving, let us remember the victims and their families not only in our prayers, but also by reaching out to them with relief materials. Let us extend our empathy and support, and commit to building a peaceful and prosperous Plateau State and Nigeria as a whole.
“May the peace of the season dwell in our hearts and homes, and may God bless Plateau State and our dear nation, Nigeria.”
Also, the state chapter of CAN, has called on President Tinubu to order the relocation of all service chiefs to the trouble areas of Bokkos, Mangu and Barkin Ladi LGAs of Plateau state.
The chairman, Rev. Fr. Polycarp Lubo, said this Tuesday at a press briefing in Jos.
“We condemned the killings in total. Where more than 150 people have been killed and the killing is still going on as a spilled over from the herders/farmers clashes.
“As Christian Association of Nigeria, we are not really happy and we are so sad because it is festive season…” he said.
He said the Fulani could not have been responsible, but that it was the barbaric act of highly sponsored assassins.
“We still appeal to Mr. President to use his veto power to talk to the security and give them matching order to back to… Bokkos, Mangu and Barkin Ladi, to concentrate because that is where the problems are,” Lubo said.
