Plateau killings affront to Nigeria’s unity

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described the recurrent killings in Plateau State as direct affront to the peace and unity Nigerians hold dear.

Atiku, the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate during the 2023 general elections, condoled with the people and government of the state over the recent attacks in the Mangu Local Government Area of the state that claimed 30 lives.

No fewer than 30 persons were killed in Plateau in the early hours of Wednesday by gunmen who attacked Kwahaslalek village, Mangu LGA.

It was gathered that the victims, who were mostly women and children, had run to the house of a community leader in the area on Tuesday night for safety following earlier unrest during the day in Mangu town when the gunmen surrounded them and killed all of them.

A community leader in the area, Mark Haruna, confirmed the death toll to PUNCH Online in Jos, the state capital, on Wednesday.

Reacting to the incident, the former Vice President on his X handle, Thursday stated, “I am deeply saddened by the violence and killings in the Mangu Local Government of Plateau State despite the imposition of a 24-hour curfew.

“This heinous act of violence, where innocent lives are being brutally snatched away, homes set ablaze, and communities thrown into chaos, is a direct affront to the values of peace and unity that we hold dear.

“It is imperative that our security agencies exhibit a higher degree of proactiveness, particularly in light of the recurring incidents of banditry in Plateau and across various parts of the country. The apparent lack of anticipation and preventive measures against such crises is a matter of grave concern. It is high time that our security forces rise to the occasion, ensuring the safety and well-being of our citizens.

“Even as I call for peace, I stand in solidarity with the victims and their families during this difficult time. Let us all come together to ensure that such tragedies are not repeated.”

The PUNCH reports that before the fresh killings, the state is yet to recover from the Christmas Eve attacks on communities in three local government areas of the state.

Gunmen had stormed Ndun, Ngyong, Murfet, Makundary, Tamiso, Chiang, Tahore, Gawarba, Dares, Meyenga, Darwat, and Butura Kampani villages in the Barkin Ladi, Mangu and Bokkos areas of the state, burning houses and shooting residents.

Over 150 people were reportedly killed in the attack.