• Declare emergency in state, Yoruba council tells FG
At least, six persons have lost their lives in fresh attacks in Plateau State, barely a week that over 190 persons were slaughtered in the state.
Suspected Fulani militia reportedly attacked Kwahaslalek Community in Mangu Local Government Area (LGA), yesterday, around 1.00a.m.,killing three persons and leaving two injured.
The attacked community is behind the permanent site of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Camp in Mangu.
According to a source, the situation remained very tense, as military and other security agencies were trying their best to calm the situation.
However, three youths were killed, on Friday, at Lut, one of the attacked communities in Bokkos, by gunmen in the area, as they went to pick up some stranded relatives.
The Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Human Virology in Nigeria, and Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in the 2023 general elections, Dr Patrick Dakum, called on the government to deploy drastic measures to end the recurring attacks.
Also, Plateau Initiative for Development and Advancement of the Natives (PIDAN) has deplored the gruesome massacre in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi councils of the state.
A statement signed by its President, Prof. Aboi Madaki, and Secretary, NanleGujor, PIDAN described the attack as callous, unacceptable, and condemnable, saying the manner of the attacks smacked of a long-term plan to eliminate the indigenous people from their ancestral lands.
CONSEQUENTLY, President ofYoruba Council Worldwide (YCW), Oladotun Hassan, called on the National Assembly to declare a state of emergency in Plateau following mass killings in Shere Town and other communities of thestate.
Hassan, yesterday, described the attacks and killings in the state as an abysmal and unmitigated menace of mass destruction allegedly led by some notorious jihadists, whose trademark is merciless sorrows and tears,; on a killing spree and bloodletting in Plateau.
He said: “We are aghast and disturbed over these barbaric, murderous escapades, while condoling with the people of Plateau, particularly families of the victims.
Regrettably, it is heartbreaking to see how lives of mothers, fathers, youths and helpless children are miserably cut short with guns and machetes in cold blood.”
The council condemned the killings in totality land urged President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to activate Section 305(1) of the Constitution for proclamation of State of Emergency against the terrorist marauders, to quell the crisis.
He further suggested that three days warning notice should be issued to all persons to submit all arms and ammunition in circulation in their possession to the nearest police station, after which a shoot on sight against criminals in Plateau.
“We call for thorough investigation into the incident and demand those behind the attacks to be brought to book.
“We call on the good people of Plateau and Nigeria to be security-conscious and alert security agencies on black spots,” he appealed.
