• Elders forum decries Plateau carnage
The police have confirmed the attack on yet another Benue community by suspected herdsmen.
The orgy of killings and bloodletting in the state and others is yet to abate, as communities are still being assailed daily.
The latest onslaught occurred at the Akpa Otobi community in Otukpo Local Council of Benue State.
The council chairman, Maxwell Ogiri, told The Guardian that 10 persons had been confirmed dead and several others injured in the attack that lasted Tuesday night into the early hours of Wednesday.
A female survivor, who craved anonymity, recounted that due to the hot weather, most of the villagers were outside relaxing when gunshots sporadically rend the air.
Spokesperson for the Benue Police Command, Catherine Anene, said she was with the Commissioner of Police at the scene of the attack at Otobi when The Guardian called to verify the incident.
MEANWHILE, the North Central Youth Council (NCYC) has issued a stern ultimatum to Governor Caleb Muftwang, demanding he either “declares war on bandits” or resign from office over seeming failure to address the ongoing attacks in Plateau State.
In a statement signed by its National President, Sunday Asuku, the group condemned the recurring killing of civilians in Plateau communities, accusing the state government of “gross incompetence and neglect in handling the security crisis.”
Calling for federal intervention, NCYC urged President Bola Tinubu to overhaul the leadership of Operation Safe Haven, the security task force assigned to maintain peace in Plateau State.
ALSO, yesterday, the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) condemned the persistent and brutal killings on the Plateau, demanding massive security deployment in the area, as well as adequate compensation for victims and affected communities.
It described the situation as a national disgrace and a “stark reflection of the Federal Government’s failure to fulfil its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property.”
In a statement, NEF spokesperson Prof. Abubakar Jika Jiddere expressed outrage over the scale of violence inflicted on innocent citizens, warning that the Federal Government’s apparent silence and inaction could no longer be tolerated.
The elders regretted that Plateau, which was once known for its unity, peace, and cultural diversity, has now become a theatre of bloodshed and lawlessness.
Jiddere said: “It is unacceptable that such acts of mass murder and destruction continue unabated, with little to no meaningful response from those charged with safeguarding the nation.”
He called for the immediate and large-scale deployment of well-equipped security forces to the state to halt the violence and restore law and order.
The spokesman added: “The silence and inaction of the Federal Government can no longer be tolerated.”
NEF demands the immediate and massive deployment of well-equipped security forces to Plateau State to halt these atrocities and restore order.
“The government must not only apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators but must do so swiftly and decisively. The blood of innocent Nigerians cries out for justice, and there must be no sanctuary for those who orchestrate or enable these horrors.
“We further demand that the Federal Government provide adequate compensation to victims and affected communities who have suffered unimaginable loss.”
