Gunmen raid Nasarawa communities, kill seven

ACF, HURIWA, others task Buhari, governors on attacks in North

Gunmen have killed at least seven villagers in different communities in Nasarawa State. It was gathered that the attacks, which began on Friday through to Sunday, were carried out in Obi and Lafia Local Councils.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, ASP Ramhan Nansel, who confirmed the development in a statement, yesterday, said Gidan Washi and Hangara villages were affected.

The PPRO said a joint team of the police and military has been deployed to the affected areas to restore peace and possibly arrest the perpetrators.

The statement reads: “On 17/12/2021 at about 1140hrs, a complaint was received that one Umaru Idrisu ‘M’ of Gidan Washi village, Obi LGA was attacked and killed by unknown armed men.

“While investigation was ongoing, a suspected reprisal was carried out by unknown persons in Hangara, who crossed over to neighbouring Kwayero village and the following persons: Sani Dauda, Danjuma Liambee, Uloho Jerry, Shedrack Kente, Tersoo Clement, Gwanje Soja and Ayuba Ali were attacked and killed.”

THIS came as Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) expressed concern over alleged lack of empathy by Northern governors with communities being attacked by bandits and other criminals in the region.

In a statement by ACF National Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Yawe, yesterday, in Kaduna, the Forum noted that the attitude of the governors and President Muhammadu Buhari portrays them as only concerned about their lives and that of their family members.

ACF said: “The latest incident took place in Giwa Local Council of Kaduna State where 38 innocent citizens were hacked to death. Nothing stops the President and a state governor from visiting such places. We sadly note that he has never felt it necessary to do so. In fact, following his example, not one governor has done so, except Governor Zulum of Borno.”

MEANWHILE, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to stop globetrotting and instead crush armed terrorists in the North.

It said the constitution, which named Buhari as Commander-in-Chief, requires him to function in the same capacity and not as ‘Chief Mourner of Nigeria’.

It condemned delay by Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, to issue a gazette declaring armed Fulani militias as terrorists in line with pronouncement of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division.

HURIWA said: “We wonder what is keeping the Federal Government from releasing the mandate by way of a legal gazette, so that the Armed Forces can adequately respond to the unprecedented violence unleashed on Nigerians by armed bandits in North-West.”

National Co-ordinator of the group, Emmanuel Onwubiko, in a statement, reminded Buhari: “The primary duties of the President is the protection of life and property of citizens as contained in Section 14 (1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.”

ALSO, President of Leah Foundation, Dr. Gloria Puldu, urged Buhari to resign over his failure to address killings in North- West and other parts of the country.

She said the President appears to have run out of ideas for tackling the problem, which, according to her, has killed hundreds.

Puldu disclosed this in Jos, yesterday, during a protest in solidarity with women in northwestern Nigeria over killings in the region.

She said: “If we don’t expect anything better from President Muhammadu Buhari, if he is incapable of addressing the current security challenges, then he should give way. If truly Buhari does not have the capacity to handle the security of this country, he should resign. He shouldn’t wait to be impeached. He should resign and leave.”