• Plateau peace builders network condemns fresh Mangu, Bokkos killings
• Tasks security agencies to hunt down perpetrators
The Vice Principal of Government Secondary School, Kuru, Jos South Council of Plateau State, Mr. Simon Peter DalyopDinju, was on Friday night shot dead by yet-to-be-identified persons.
The incident has brought the death toll from the attack on Mangu to 21. The Public Relations Officer of Be’Nkanang Progressive Union (BPU), Mr. Henry Pam, claimed the incident happened when the deceased went to shut the gate of his house, with the intension of retiring for the day.
The National Publicity Secretary of Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM), RwangTengwong, condemned all the attacks in Mangu and Bokkos which claimed no fewer than 21 people.
Tengwong, in a statement, said: “The unjustifiable attacks have led to the loss of lives and injuries sustained by many as well as valuables worth millions of naira destroyed.
“The BYM commends the response of security agents, particularly Gen. A E Abubakar for his response to distress calls placed during and after the unfortunate events. We, however, call on all security agents to be more proactive following the earlier intelligence given and not to distort sensitive information that aims at aiding militancy in and around target local councils.
“It is rather unfortunate that the Nigerian Intelligence Unit would cheaply fall to the gallery of cook up story only to see the contrary of it.”
The BYM called on government, security agencies, and community leaders to work together to ensure that the perpetrators of these heinous crimes are brought to justice.
He also urged government to take decisive actions against terrorism, banditry resulting in the ravaging of villages and communities on the Plateau and beyond.
“We equally use this medium to pray for recovery of those injured, especially Mr. JongJonathan, the NUBES President, who was shot on his leg by security agents.
“It’s our passionate appeal that both government and spirited bodies/individuals to come to the aid of the displaced, injured and other victims.”
THE Conference of Plateau Peace Builders Network has condemned in strong terms the renewed violent attacks on Mangu and Bokkos local councils of Plateau State, which left many dead including others suffering varying degrees of injuries.
Among those killed by suspected terrorists was a promising 200-level Computer Science student of Plateau State University.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Dr Dung Bot, and the National Secretary, Lucy Wuyep, Bokkos, Coordinator Chief Isaac Makut, and Mangu coordinator, Monday Mwansat, respectively, yesterday, the indigenous peace-building organisation charged all relevant security and law enforcement agencies to ensure that the perpetrators of the dastardly act and their sponsors are not only apprehended but prosecuted according to the laws of the land.
The network further passed an overwhelming vote of confidence in the leadership and troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), which oversees security in Plateau and its environs.
The statement further called on the military high command to ignore calls by those it referred to as ‘crisis merchants’for the redeployment of troops, saying the idea was to overrun the vulnerable communities once the self-serving demand was met.
“We condemn the tragic incidents in robust terms, more so that they occurred at a time the Governor of the State, Caleb Mutfwang, the military, and other security agencies had done so much in the areas of security, peacebuilding as well as harmonious co-existence.
“Our independent investigations revealed that the cowardly attacks were carried out by suspected herders, whose agenda is expansionist in form and occupational in nature.
“We, therefore, urge our hardworking Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) and sister security agencies to deploy all the intelligence and operational tools needed to identify, isolate and bring the killers of our people to deserved justice.
“What these killings demonstrate is the fact that some elements and tendencies are determined to perpetuate the culture of violence on the Plateau, ostensibly to satisfy the evil agenda of some persons.
“It is on this basis that we urge our people to cooperate with the military and other security agencies by reporting suspicious activities, movements and persons for prompt action.
“We acknowledge that security in contemporary society has become a whole-of-society approach. Therefore, all hands must be on deck to defeat these enemies of the state, deploying all means to push our peaceful state to the precipice.”
