.Leaders, youths flay Plateau killings, task Tinubu on security

Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has asked the Federal Government to immediately declare an emergency in states where terrorism and banditry have been prevalent in the country, just as leaders and youths condemned the recent attack and killings in Plateau State.

ACF said it was greatly saddened by the December 23, 2023 terror attack on communities in Plateau, which resulted in the death of over 100 persons with many injured.

In a statement by its Spokesman, Prof Tukur Mohammed-Baba, yesterday, the Northern socio-cultural group lamented: “In terms of their gruesome impact on lives and property, the attack adds to sad memories of the bombing incident at Tudun-Biri, Kaduna State, and by rampaging bandits in Zurmi, Zamfara State, both within just weeks apart.

“ACF mourns the dead and commiserates with the injured. The forum condoles with families of the victims and prays to God to grant the deceased eternal rest, as well as fortify the faith of those left behind, so they remain stoic and bear the losses with equanimity. ACF equally prays for quick recovery for the traumatised and injured.”

Mohammed-Baba also urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts in intelligence by all security agencies to gather actionable information to identify, arrest and prosecute perpetrators (and their enablers) of communal conflicts and insecurity.

Also, Northern Youth Assembly (NYA) has expressed sadness over the killings in Plateau and Katsina states, which claimed the lives of many innocent Nigerians.

According to a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of NYA, Adikwu Joshua, the continued trend of wasting the lives of innocent Nigerians, should not be tolerated by any government that is responsible and sensitive, especially a democratically-elected government, which is supposedly believed to have a contract with the citizens on the security of their life and property.

“The attacks on the eve of Christmas, which affected Bokkos and Barkin Ladi in Plateau, as well as some communities in Jibia Local Council in Katsina State, was not only devastating but also scary.

“While we sympathise with the families of the deceased, the national leadership of NYA, as well as the 19 Northern states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapters, extend our condolences to the families, the government of Plateau and Katsina states, the NYA chapters in Plateau and Katsina over the unfortunate and irreparable loss, and we pray for an eternal mercy and forgiveness for the departed souls of the innocent Nigerians.”

The youths reminded President Bola Tinubu of the enormous responsibility on his head to address the spillover challenges of development he inherited in the country such as insecurity, starvation, unemployment, economic and political instability, trust deficit between government and citizens, increasing inflation and the rest.