APGA scribe cries out, Idahosa tasks President on terrorism
National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Oye
The National Secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has described the killings of Tiv people in his home state of Nasarawa by herdsmen as ungodly.
Reacting via his Facebook page yesterday, he noted: “It is heartbreaking to hear about the deaths of our fellow citizens again and again.
“For every life is sacred and should not be taken by another. Our cities, towns and villages are vulnerable and our people unprotected.”
Maku wondered why every citizen could not sleep with his or her two eyes closed.
He went on: “It is a failure on the part of our state government when citizens are slaughtered like animals.
“I would have asked for a public condemnation, but I think this is death too many. Condemnation won’t do, it is time to ask our leaders to protect us as they swore to do.
“Any government that cannot protect lives and property has failed on its mandate. We need to end this violence and build a peaceful and progressive society.”
Maku, however, condoled with the people of the state particularly the families of those who have lost loved ones in the ongoing massacre in Nasarawa southern senatorial zone, “may the Lord grant you the fortitude to bear the loss”.
The party’s governorship candidate in the 2015 general elections warned that “we must not politicise security matters. The Nasarawa and Nigerian governments need to wake up.”
However, six non-governmental organisations (NGOs) under the auspices of Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) have called on the state houses of assemblies to legislate on arming vigilance groups as a panacea to the incessant killings by herdsmen nationwide.
They contended that their demand was hinged on Part II, Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) where vigilantes were asked to be empowered to compliment security agencies in protecting lives.
The groups also condemned the invasion of the National Assembly by armed, saying: “We suspect that these hoodlums are uncomfortable with the disposition of the Senate in condemning the lack of efficiency and effectiveness by the security forces to stop the mass murders by herdsmen.”
At a press briefing yesterday in Abuja, the national coordinator of HURIWA, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, said the groups discovered in Taraba State that there were no herders versus farmers clashes but pure acts of “terrorism by armed Fulani herdsmen.”
He accused the Federal Government of allegedly failing to fulfill its constitutional obligation as enshrined in Section 14 (2) (b) of the law book.
The spokesman added that the government must declare the Miyetti Allah Cattle Owners Association as a terrorist group as well as arrest and prosecute mass murderers.
Also yesterday, the Archbishop of Church of God Mission International, Most Reverend (Mrs.) Margaret Benson Idahosa, challenged President Muhammadu Buhari to halt the killings in pars of the federation.
The cleric specifically asked the President, as the custodian of the People’s mandate, to “urgently address security concerns that have become serious issues in the country.”
In a statement in Benin City, Idahosa described the recent abduction and murder of some clerics, including Reverend Pius Eromosele in Edo State, as “one death too many.”
She said: “Our nation is going through a lot of security challenges. There have been hues and cries on the menace by the rampaging herdsmen nationwide.”
However, the Nigerian Army has declared five persons wanted over the killings in Taraba State.
In a statement in Abuja by the spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Texas Chukwu, the suspects were listed as Tanko Adiku Dantayi, Kurusi Danladi, Chindo, Big Olumba and Chairman Poko.
He said Danjuma (aka American) and Gasama were arrested at the weekend by troops of Operation Ayem Akpatuma in Takum after a tip-off.
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