Plateau Killings: Middle Belt Youths Write Tinubu, Demand Probe, Prosecution of Theatre Commanders

President Bola Tinubu should order an investigation and prosecution of the Theatre Commanders and their team members deployed to the three Local Government Areas in Plateau State which have been targets of serial attacks by suspected Fulani militia, a socio-political organisation under the aegis of Middle Belt Youth Council (MBYC), has said.

While demanding a police system where every state government will fully take charge of the safety of its citizens, the organization said the President should issue a Presidential Executive Order on safeguarding vulnerable villages which have become targets of the armed militia.

The President of MBYC, Emma Zopmal stated these in an open letter addressed to Tinubu on the killings in Mangu, Barkin Ladi and Bokkos LGAs of Plateau State by suspected Fulani bandits obtained by Arise News in Abuja on Friday.

According to him, the MBYC had keenly observed that in all the three Local Government Areas under attack, there were security personnel under the Special Task Force deployed to protect lives and property.

Zopmal said the residents of the communities who have suffered the attacks have bitterly expressed their displeasure with the negligent role by security agencies during the attacks.

He said the 2023 Christmas Eve attacks resulted in hundreds of deaths and destruction of homes, which may have been given to Tinubu by Vice President Kashim Shettima as first hand report.

Zopmal, an activist, said in less than 30 days after the Christmas Eve attacks in Plateau State, another phase of unprovoked attack has resumed in Mangu LGA and have also resulted in several deaths and destruction of homes.

With the ugly developments which, according to the MBYC, have caused serious casualties on lives and properties, the organization made some recommendations for Tinubu’s consideration and immediate action “in order to avert total anarchy and carnage in Plateau State.”

Zopmal said, “We align our position with the declaration of the Mwaghavul Development Association that the military should be immediately removed from Mangu Local Government Area as well as B/Ladi and Bokkos LGAs of Plateau State and be replaced with the MOPOL, NSCDC, and Vigilantes Group of Nigeria.

“The Theatre Commanders and their team members deployed to those LGAs should be probed and prosecuted by the relevant Military Council to serve as deterrence to negligence, poor performance and unprofessionalism in their discharge of duties.

“Mr. President, a marching order should be given to security agencies to stop this carnage and destruction of homes in Plateau State. Mr. President,  there is no other time than now for Nigeria to have a State Government Police system so that every State Government will fully take charge of the safety of its citizens. While we await this, a Presidential Executive Order should be issued on safeguarding vulnerable villages which have become targets of these armed militia.

“Your Excellency, we request that NEMA and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management should be mobilised and deployed immediately to the affected LGAs in Plateau State in order to provide succour to the victims of these attacks.

“In conclusion, Mr. President, we believe in the Renewed Hope of your administration to renew our hope in terms of security of our land, lives, and homes. We believe that you will take this letter seriously in order to keep the volatility of Plateau State in check.

“We strongly commend the frantic efforts of the Executive Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency, Caleb Mutfwang, in stemming the reprisal escalation across the state. While the Governor is doing his best in this regards, he may be overwhelmed if the Federal Government does not give him sufficient backing.”

Friday Olokor, Abuja

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