Senate asks security agencies to fish out killers of Plateau monarch

Sultan faults blame of herdsmen

The Senate has called on security agencies to fish out killers of the Plateau traditional ruler who was murdered on Monday.

The call followed a Point of Order raised by Senator Joshua Dariye (PDP-Plateau Central) at plenary over the killing of Lazarus Agai, a first-class ruler in Bokkos, Plateau State.

Gunmen killed the 76-year-old Saf Ron-Kulere on his way to Bokkos, after visiting his farm in the Sha district of the area. Also killed were his police orderly, Sunday Wuyah, his wife, and his son, Shagari.

Dariye described the development as worrisome, adding that the rate at which innocent Nigerians were being slaughtered is alarming. He called for urgent steps by stakeholders to stem the tide.

In his remark, President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, said: “We must put an end to this senseless killing of people returning from their farms. Security agencies must get the culprits of this dastardly act. Our hearts go to the government and people of Plateau State.”

The motion was unanimously adopted and the legislators observed a minute’s silence for the deceased monarch and others who died in the incident.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Mohammed Saad Abubakar III, yesterday, in Jos, however, faulted the way the murder was reported by the media, which had described the perpetrators as herdsmen.

Abubakar, who described the death as shocking, regretted that “the press just jumped into the conclusion that he was killed by herdsmen without waiting for the police to investigate.”

He added: “Whoever did that is a criminal and he must be fished out and dealt with. That is why we should all resolve to come together. Whenever a crime is committed by anybody, whoever that person is, let us call him a criminal and deal with him, no matter how big he thinks he is, no matter which tribe he belongs, no matter which religion he professes.”