Plateau Killings: ACF Blows Hot, Urges FG to Declare State of Emergency
The Arewa Consultative Forum, on Wednesday, condemned terrorists’ attack on 17 communities in Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu Local Government Areas of Plateau State which left no fewer than 160 dead and many injured.
The forum said the attacks added to the sad memories of the bombing incident at Tudun Biri, Kaduna State, and by rampaging bandits in Zurmi, Zamfara State, both within weeks apart.
The forum’s National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Muhammad–Baba, in a statement in Kaduna, also condoled with the victims’ families while calling on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on vulnerable and banditry-prone communities.
The forum also implored Plateau elders, traditional and community leaders, clergy, and civil society organisations, to intensify their conflict resolution efforts.
While saying citizens should avail the security agencies with credible information on the activities of insurgents and criminals, the ACF argued that “no one needs resort to glorifying terrorists with ethno-religious garbs,” noting that “the job is not for public security agents alone.”
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The pan-northern socio-political organisation added, “The ACF, therefore, calls on the government to iIntensify efforts in intelligence by all security agencies, including the Armed Forces, the Department of Security Service, the Nigeria Police, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps etc. in gathering actionable information to identify, arrest and prosecute perpetrators (and their enablers) of communal conflicts and insecurity.
“Roll out a 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.
“While as always, reiterating uncompromising support for the Federal and State Governments, and the Armed Forces, DSS and other security National Security Agencies specifically, in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria, ACF calls on President Bola Tinubu and all security agencies under him to up the ante in the fight against any and all threats to the wellbeing of citizens and, ultimately the nation”.
