Vice President Kashim Shettima, on Wednesday, assured that President Bola Tinubu’s administration would not rest on its oars until victims of the gruesome attacks in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State get justice.
The Vice President gave the assurance when he paid a condolence visit to the affected communities in the state.
Recall that in the attacks, which began on Saturday and lasted about 48 hours, gunmen killed over 150 villagers and razed many houses, with over 10,000 people reportedly displaced.
Shettima, who was accompanied by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, said President Tinubu was heartbroken about the killings, vowing that the perpetrators would not go scot-free.
He said, “President Tinubu is deeply shaken by this tragedy and shares in this unspeakable sorrow that has shattered the joy of Christmas across the country.
“When one community bleeds, the entire nation feels the pain. The pain we feel now transcends ethnicity or religion, geography or politics. The grief that binds us is a testament to our shared humanity, not differences.
“We cannot fathom the depth of this grief beyond the experience of the bereaved. We can only offer to assuage your pain. What has happened to you is a funeral for the entire nation. Our hearts bleed alongside yours, our dear brothers and sisters in Bokkos, Barkin-Ladi, and all over Plateau State.”
He assured the communities that “we won’t rest until you access justice and until you are safe.”
During the visit, the Chairman of Bokkos Local Government Area, Monday Kassam, told Shettima how 148 persons were killed in his local government.
“It is with deep feelings in my heart that I stand now to recount a little of the ordeal,” Kassam said.
“In Mangur village, 53 (were) killed; Mbar, 26; Tangur, four; Bokkos Central, 31; Butura, 33; Mushere, one. In all, 148 innocent Bokkos villagers were massacred unprovoked in cold blood. Twenty-five communities were affected, and 1,290 homes were burnt down. Eighty-one vehicles, 187 motorcycles, 267 water pumps were also burnt while 88 persons are receiving treatments of serious injuries,” he added.
IG deploys policemen
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has ordered the deployment of officers and equipment to Plateau State to apprehend the hoodlums responsible for the Christmas Eve massacre.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, made the development known in a statement on Wednesday while noting that the IG had also ordered an immediate investigation into the incident.
Adejobi said, “In the wake of the appalling attacks on numerous villages in Plateau State, resulting in the tragic loss of lives in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, vehemently condemns these heinous acts as not only barbaric but also reprehensible and inhumane.
“In response to this grave situation, the IG has taken decisive action by ordering the immediate deployment of additional manpower and resources to Plateau State. This strategic move aims to assist the local police authority and other security apparatus in effectively managing the crisis and ensuring the safety of the residents in the affected LGAs and the entire state.”
He added that in recognition of the need for a thorough investigation, “the IG has directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department and his counterpart in the Department of Force Intelligence to constitute a high-powered investigative team. This team is tasked with unravelling the circumstances surrounding the incident and bringing those responsible to justice.
“The police and other security agencies are deploying both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to tackle the lingering crises that look recurrent in the state. The IG further admonishes warring groups, residents and the entire state to embrace peace and shun violence and unwarranted killings of innocent souls.”
‘Poor terrain delayed troops’ response’
The Defence Headquarters, on Wednesday, said troops received over 30 distress calls from the villagers during the attacks, but troops’ response was delayed because the terrain was poor.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Tuesday, the governor of the state, Caleb Mutfwang, had said the response of security agencies to the attacks could have been better.
Muftwang said, “I wouldn’t want to throw the baby out with the bath water. Certainly, the response time can be better. There were distress calls sent out. Some of the responses would have been delayed for various reasons, including the nature of our terrain.”
In an interview on Wednesday, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, “The assailants took advantage of the relative peace that had returned to the state due to the military pressure of the past months. There were over 30 distressed calls from the communities when the attack was ongoing. Before troops could arrive at some of the locations, the havoc had been done.
“The combination of the difficult terrain and other factors played a role in delaying troops’ arrival at some of the locations. The assailant had intentionally planned to attack several locations at the same time to make it difficult for troops to reach there on time. Troops strategy is being rejigged to allow faster intervention in future.”
Investigate attacks- Amnesty
Amnesty International had on Tuesday called on the authorities to investigate the inability of the security agencies to curb the attacks.
According to the AI Country Director, Isa Sanusi, their investigation showed that the armed men operated for more than 48 hours, moving from one village to another.
He said, “Our investigation shows that the gunmen were on the rampage of killing and destruction for more than 48 hours, moving from one village to another. Apart from Bokkos Local Government Area, where the attacks started and lasted hours, the gunmen also crossed into Barkin Ladi Local Government Area and killed dozens of people in Hurum, Daruwat, Maiyanga, and NTV villages.
“President Bola Tinubu must set up an impartial, independent, and effective panel to investigate the apparent failure of security agencies to halt the bloodshed hours after villages that were attacked were gathering dead bodies of those killed and conveying those injured to hospitals.”
PDP, SANs tackle Tinubu
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party, on Wednesday, condemned the killings in Plateau.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, on Wednesday, the PDP described as heartrending the reports of how defenceless Nigerians were gruesomely murdered and over 10,000 more displaced by terrorists in Plateau.
The PDP said, “There are apprehensions that what is happening in Plateau State is a genocide and the Tinubu-led APC administration must be held responsible for the mindless killing under its watch, having failed in its constitutional role as provided in Section 14 (2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) which states that ‘security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.’
“The PDP restates its demand for an urgent legislative public inquest into the killings as well as the undesirable disposition of the APC government on issues of insecurity in the country.
“The International Criminal Court is also invited to commence an independent investigation to unravel the sponsors and perpetrators of this act of genocide. In this regard, special attention must be paid to prominent former and current leaders of the APC who have at various times been alleged to overtly encouraged, promoted, incited and endorsed acts of terrorism and Genocide.”
Also, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, expressed anger over the incident, saying “the recent gruesome killings in Plateau State prove beyond doubt that governance has failed in Nigeria.”
In a statement on Wednesday, the human rights lawyer said, “The revelation by the Governor of Plateau State that over 64 communities in the state have been taken over and are being inhabited permanently by terrorists for well over two years running is a loud confirmation of the lack of transparency on the part of our leaders in dealing with the people.
“As far as the relevant laws of Nigeria are concerned, security matters lie principally with the Federal Government led by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces who in this case is the President. That sacred duty is not being discharged creditably and in accordance with the good expectation of Nigerians.”
Similarly, human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has called on the government to stop the wanton killings in Plateau State.
He noted that though the Federal Government and the Plateau State Government had set up judicial and administrative panels of inquiry, “the culprits that were identified and recommended for prosecution were treated like sacred cows.
“Hence, the wanton killing of innocent people and destruction of properties have continued unabated.”
Sultan, CAN, ACF condemn killings
The Christian Association of Nigeria in the 19 northern states and Abuja, on Wednesday, condemned the Plateau attacks.
The northern CAN, in a statement by its Secretary, Elder Sunday Oibe, fumed over the killing and called on Tinubu “not to allow Plateau or any part of Nigeria to become ungovernable because of the activities of this gang of criminals who are bent on making life unpleasant to innocent Nigerians.”
CAN said, “This is one attack too many on the Plateau. Since this democratic dispensation, Plateau has consistently suffered so much at the hands of terrorists and bandits. This kind of barbarism cannot happen even in the animal kingdom.
“It is very unfortunate that in Nigeria, this kind of wickedness appears to have become an acceptable norm as people get killed and little or no effort is made by the authorities to bring the culprits to justice.
“President Tinubu must ensure that the security agencies abide by his directive.”
Similarly, the Arewa Consultative Forum, on Wednesday, condemned the killing and called on President Tinubu and the nation’s security agencies to up their game in the protection of lives and property of Nigerians.
The National Publicity Secretary of the ACF, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, in a statement in Kaduna, implored Plateau elders, traditional and community leaders, clergy, and civil society organisations to intensify their conflict resolution efforts.
“Roll out containment and elimination strategies against the burgeoning incidents of banditry, terrorism, farmer-herder clashes, and all senseless killings, arson.
“Provide immediate relief and compensation for victims, and arson banditry and terrorism.
“Empower community leaders, elders, clergy, traditional leaders and other stakeholders to embark on community dialogue for conflict resolution, reconciliation and cooperation,” the ACF said.
Similarly, the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, condemned the Plateau attacks and called on the government and security agencies to be more proactive and scale up their intelligence-gathering techniques because “the bandits and terrorists are always a step ahead.”
Abubakar, who is also the President of the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, stated this in a goodwill message at the closing ceremony of the 80th National Islamic Vacation Course which was held on Wednesday at the Air Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi.
He said, “We have problems of insecurity. Just a couple of days back, there was this clash in Plateau where over 100 plus lives were lost. Why do we keep on having these clashes? Why do we keep on having these deaths caused by ourselves? A couple of weeks back, the Tudun Biri issue (in Kaduna State) is still fresh in our minds, and now the one in Plateau.
“We always condemn such things but after condemning such activities by these bandits and criminals, what are the roles of the governments who are supposed to protect our lives and property?
“Why can’t we be proactive and stop such attacks before they happen? What happened to our intelligence-gathering mechanisms? Can anybody tell me that nobody knew that such attacks were coming up?
“In various places, whether it is Sokoto, Birni Kebbi or in Kaduna or anywhere, have we lost our sense of gathering information to avert any of such heinous crimes? We must ask our governments to up the game because these bandits are always a step ahead.”
Similarly, the Evangelical Church Winning All, on Wednesday, condemned the killings and called on the Federal Government and security agencies to take proactive steps towards ending the endless killings in Plateau State.
The President of ECWA, Rev. Stephen Panya-Baba, in a statement on Wednesday in Jos, said, “The horrendous and genocidal killings and destruction of property and other means of livelihood by very wicked, evil, criminal militias in over 20 villages of Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi is reprehensible, ungodly, satanic, totally unacceptable and condemnable.
“As a church, we are pained that this attack was carried out against innocent and harmless people who were climaxing preparations to celebrate Christmas.
“I appeal to relevant agencies of government, groups and individuals, to provide relief materials to the affected communities.
“I also appeal for adequate deployment of security forces to forestall any further attacks.”
Baptist Convention counts losses
Also, the Nigerian Baptist Convention has decried the killing of its members in Plateau State by gunmen.
It was learnt that nine Baptist members were among those killed in the Dares community when gunmen attacked several Plateau communities on Christmas Eve.
A member of the church, Ishaya Moses, who survived the attack, confirmed the killing of the church members when the President, Plateau Baptist Conference, Revd Dr K.K. Saleh, visited the community on Wednesday.
“Nine Baptist church members were killed during the attack on Dares community in Bokkos LGA. The victims worship at Nasara Baptist church here. After the killings, the terrorists put on the church generator in the night to celebrate their evil deed,” Ishaya told the Baptist President.
Another member of the church, Malan Maju, who lost his wife and son, said the victims had been given a mass burial.
Saleh, who expressed shock over the killings and the extent of the destruction, berated the high level of insecurity in the country for the past years without any meaningful solution from the security agencies.
“We, the Plateau Baptist Conference, are here on behalf of the Nigerian Baptist Conference as a whole to extend our heartfelt condolences for the unfortunate incident that happened to this community. We’ve informed the convention president, and this incident has been broadcast hoping that the whole world will hear of it,” he said.
The Northern Christian Youth Professionals, on Wednesday, renewed its agitation for the recruitment of forest guards, saying it was a viable option to checkmate random attacks on villages if President Tinubu was serious about solving the insecurity challenges in the north.
The Chairman of the northern Christian group, Isaac Abrak, in a statement released in Abuja, said, “In light of these recent atrocities, the Northern Christian Youth Professionals urges President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to fulfill his campaign promise of rehabilitating the forest ranger/forest guards. This initiative, aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda, is a critical step towards bolstering the efforts of the Nigerian military, police, and other security agencies in safeguarding lives and property.”
Additional reports: Abiodun Sanusi, Abdulrahman Zakariyau, Armstrong Bakam and Adebayo Folorunsho-Francis
