Reps plan summit to address Plateau killings

Disturbed by the worsening state of security in Plateau State, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, is set to meet with President Bola Tinubu with a view to finding measures to secure the lives and property of the people.

This is just as the Speaker condemned in strongest terms, the recurring attacks in the North Central state, describing them as unacceptable.

There have been attacks on some communities in Plateau State since late December 2023, which led to the deaths of many people.

Earlier in the week, attacks were reported in Mangu where scores of people were killed.

The latest incident led the Plateau State Government to imposing a 24-hour curfew in the affected area.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, on Thursday, the Speaker called for renewed effort in the fight against criminality in the state.

“Speaker Abbas said he would meet with President Tinubu on the matter, while the House would take a strong position upon its resumption from the Christmas and New Year break on Tuesday, next week,” the statement read in part.

The statement also quoted Abbas as saying that on resumption of the lawmakers on January 30, 2024, “The House would kick-start plans to organise a security submit to find lasting solutions to the security challenges in the North and other parts of the country.”

The statement further read, “I am deeply saddened by the continuous killings in Plateau State. It is unfortunate and disheartening that this is happening at this time when efforts are on to tackle insecurity around the country.

“I call on the people of Plateau State to live in peace with one another as they were known for years back. We cannot continue like this as a people.

“Our creator, in His wisdom, brought us together for a reason, and we must continue to appreciate our differences and form a common front to tackle our collective challenges instead of killing ourselves. This path will only take us backward.”

The Speaker also called on the various security agencies to take decisive action to arrest the situation on the Plateau.