Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has lamented the insincerity of the President Bola Tinubu administration in curbing the insecurity bedeviling the nation.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential Candidate in the February 25th, 2023, Presidential Election said that attacks and loss of lives can be stemmed only when the Federal Government shows utmost determination to eliminate the threats by expanding the security architecture.
Atiku, in a statement by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, on Sunday said random and incessant killings and maiming of scores of people across the country such that recently happened in Barikin Ladi and Bokkos Local Government Areas of Plateau State called for tougher action by the government in terms of prompt and proactive measures.
“Those attacks can be stemmed only when the government shows utmost determination to eliminate the threats by expanding the security architecture in the country and fast-tracking the arrest and prosecution of those involved in such dastardly acts to serve as a deterrent, Atiku stated.
He expressed concern about the frequency of these attacks on innocent people by outlaws, noting that under no circumstances should murderous criminal groups be allowed to take life without immediate consequences from the government.
According to Atiku, “the rate at which innocent people are being massacred in Plateau, Kaduna, Zamfara and other areas plagued by insecurity is embarrassing, adding that “only prompt and decisive action by the government can halt this madness.”
He observed that the calls for state police stem from the growing frustration with the government’s seeming helplessness to crush these outlaws.
The statement read in part “The spate of these attacks is also a sad testimonial to decadence in the judiciary because a situation where criminals are set free by the court without diligent trials is capable of dampening the morale of law enforcement officers and other security agencies.
“Atiku warned that abandoning the people to their own fate in the face of existential threats is not an option because protecting the lives and property of the citizens is a primary responsibility of governments anywhere in the world.
“But for his absence, the former Vice President would have visited Plateau to emphasise with the people of the affected communities. He, however, prays for the repose of the souls of the deceased, stressing that no resource should be spared in taking care of the maimed and displaced”.
The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi made a whistle-stop at three strategic spots in the North at the weekend bemoaning situations that send Nigerians to Internally Displaced, IDP Camps.
The Presidential Candidate paid a condolence visit to the home of the former Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon Ghali Na’abba who died during the week and also celebrated with the former Minister of Interior and former Chief of Army Staff Abdulrahman Dambazau whose daughter wedded also in Kano at the weekend.
Obi was accompanied on the two trips by his running mate Dr Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmad and some officials of the Labour Party and Obidient Movement in the state.
On his X handle, Obi said
“I visited Kano State with my brother, Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed, where we joined other respected Nigerians to attend the wedding of General Abdulrahman Dambazau’s daughter. General Dambazau, a Former Federal Minister of Interiors, had also served our dear nation as a two-time Chief of Army Staff.
I pray God Almighty to protect and bless the newly wedded couple, grant abundant health and happiness, and bless their union with love, joy, understanding, and peace.
“I was also in Kano State today with my brother, Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed to condole with the family of Late Ghali Na’Abba, who passed on recently.
“Before his death, Na’Abba served our dear nation as the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones in this difficult time
“May God Almighty forgive his sins and grant him eternal rest and grant his family, the good people of Kano State, and all of us who mourn him, the fortitude to bear his loss.
According to Obi, after the Kano event he went to the embattled Plateau town attacked on Christmas Day and has this to say.
“Today, after my two major events in Kano State, I paid a solidarity visit to two Internally Displaced People’s camps (IDPs) in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas in Plateau State.
“The camp came as a result of the unfortunate tragic attacks in the area which have claimed over 100 lives and left over 300 people injured.
“I sympathized with the government and people of Plateau State, especially the many families who lost their loved ones to this dastardly act, and indeed with every Nigerian feeling the pain of insecurity. My heart goes out to the affected families. These are very challenging times in our nation, but we refuse to bow to the challenges.
“May Almighty God forgive the sins of those who died grant them eternal rest, and grant their families the fortitude to bear their irreplaceable losses. And for the wounded receiving treatment in the hospital, may God grant them a speedy recovery.”
“I thank the government of Plateau State for their kind and caring intervention for the affected victims, and the security agencies for their efforts in restoring order in the area and for the great work they are doing in securing Nigeria, especially at this challenging time.
“I made a token donation of N10 million and N5 million to each of the two IDPs in both Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi LG Areas.
“I am very concerned about the growing numbers of people seeking refuge in different IDP camps across the country. I have always said that once any Nigerian is internally displaced, every Nigerian is internally displaced.
“I urge governments at all levels, charitable organizations, and well-meaning Nigerians to help our fellow compatriots who are today displaced, in different parts of the country, due to insecurity. We will continue to be our brother’s keeper and united in purpose, we will reclaim our nation from the hands of criminals and set it on the path of growth, peace, and progress.
The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi has said that Nigeria politics must not be left in the hands of transactional politicians, saying that the business of Nigeria is far too important to be left to those involved in transactional politics.
The standard bearer of the Labour Party also warned in his 2024 New Year message to Nigerians that it is dangerous to tilt Nigeria to a one-party state and wants this resisted.
“I am involved in the struggle for a New Nigeria that is Possible and works for all and will remain passionately committed to the crusade. I therefore implore you all who strive for a New Nigeria to remain fully engaged, committed, and resilient as it is and will be Possible.
“My Fellow Compatriots, As we thank God and enter a new year, 2024, I send my heartfelt and warmest greetings to all Nigerians: from my family and I, to you and yours. May the Almighty God bless you all richly and grant your good heart desires in the new year and beyond.
“The events of the past year are now part of our national history. As we trudge on, we remain mindful of the State of our Nation, and that our best hopes and aspirations remain largely unfulfilled.
Obi noted that “Peace and security continue to elude us with the rising level of bloodletting deeply troubling and sometimes beyond a war situation. A situation where hundreds of Nigerians are violently killed in December alone is deeply sad and unacceptable. While we pray for the repose of the souls departed, we demand that the Federal Government must do whatever is required to bring the perpetrators to justice and permanently stop a re-occurrence in any part of Nigeria.
According to Obi in addition to the lamentable security situation, our economy remains confusing and depressing with unemployment, inflation, poverty, inequality, and other key socio-economic variables all negative and worsening. As Nigeria is the only country we have, deeply endowed but lacking in good leadership, we will continue to seek a new Nigeria that we know is possible.
“Nigerians are now very aware and convinced that good governance, inclusive development, and accountable leadership expected in a functional democracy, continue to elude us but we must be consistent and resolute in our demand for rule of law, regulatory quality, and government effectiveness for transformative solutions to a litany of our social problems.
Obi reviewed the political situation in the country in the outgoing year and remarked that “If there is one fundamental threat to our democracy, it is the undermining and weakening of our national institutions and the capture of state affairs and resources by few individuals and private interests. This must stop for Nigeria to move forward and function as an inclusive and sustainable society and nation.
“In a democratic and secular country like ours, there must be full respect for the separation of powers between the three independent arms of government, as well as between the federating units. For instance, the National Assembly should devote time and commit themselves to diligent performance of their functions like the 2024 budget that requires their prudent examination and subsequent patriotic-oriented approval or rejection.
“We must work assiduously to avoid drifting to a one-party state, or a situation, where the Federal government intervenes unduly in the internal affairs of the states, particularly in circumstances where national security is not threatened. We in the Labour Party have undertaken in the national interest and in our undying commitment to a New Nigeria that is Possible, to remain firmly in opposition and as such, must remain focused going forward. Our collective role in nation-building remains fundamental and obligatory.
The LP flag bearer used the opportunity of the New Year message to thank Nigerians for their support “Again, let me use this opportunity to thank all Nigerians who supported our campaign during the 2023 elections and voted for us because they believed in the quest for a New Nigeria. The outcome of the 2023 presidential elections was contested and remains so, on record. But the Courts of law have spoken; so be it.
“I also wish to thank members of the Labour Party, the Obedient Family, friends, and well-wishers of Nigeria for their loyalty, resilience, tenacity, and commitment to true democracy. We will continue ongoing discussions and efforts for the Labour Party to adjust to our new role as Nigeria’s main opposition party. We will continue to constructively engage all Nigerians and our friends, who have now realized the vast implications of the road not taken; and the folly of national interest decisions predicated on sentiments and primordial interests.
Finally, he noted that “Nigeria is our God-given country. The business of Nigeria is far too important to be left to those involved in transactional politics. I am involved in the struggle for a New Nigeria that is Possible and works for all and will remain passionately committed to the crusade. I therefore implore you all who strive for a New Nigeria to remain fully engaged, committed, and resilient as it is and will be possible. God bless you and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Happy and Prosperous 2024 – Peter Obi
A Group, under the auspices of Imade Development Association, IDA, has urged Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State to consider an Owo indigene as his Deputy to compensate for the loss of their son, Rotimi Akeredolu.
Akeredolu passed on mid-way into his second term as Governor of the State, and was immediately succeeded by his Deputy.
The Group lamented the loss of Akeredolu, warning against any move that may lead to further polarisation of the people along ethnic and political divides.
President of the Group, Segun Ogunbadeniyi, the Secretary, Femi Fadaisi and Publicity Secretary, Julius Adesola said that Owo as an ethnic group has a strong interest in presenting a candidate for the Deputy Governorship position.
The group said that the interest and preceptive of Owo must be well protected in the scheme of things with the death of Akeredolu, an indigene of the town.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Ogunbadeniyi, said “In our opinion, the joint ticket that expires in February 2025 is Owo/Ilaje.
“We do not understand any calculation outside of it. Whoever picks the ticket of APC or PDP next year can therefore decide which zone to produce the Deputy Governor.
“Any attempt to erase Owo from the calculation until February 2025 by Aiyedatiwa in our opinion, is unfair, not equitable, and can cause division in the body politics.”
According to the mainstream Owo group, “Aiyedatiwa must promote things that would bring peace and unity to the state saying the conflict that brought him has polarized the All Progressive Congress (APC), the legislative arm of government, and the people.
“The battle for the mandate was fought by Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa. It is to the honour of Akeredolu that the ticket must be maintained.
“ Aiyedatiwa must prioritize what will bring peace and unity to the state. The event in the last few months has polarized the state both in body and spirit.
“For us in Owo, we are ready to work with him and bring about unity and prosperity to the state.
” As a kingdom, history has shown that Owo has been making sacrifices for Yoruba nation and Ondo State and Akeredolu’s tireless efforts to protect Nigeria and Yoruba nation came to us at great cost.
“Many of our people have suffered loss and hardship because of this attack. Our sacrifices must be recognized and honoured. Changing the mandate will amount to another terrorist attack on Owo.
“The issue on the ground should be approached with empathy, respect, and transparency to show that Aiyedatiwa is committed to building bridges and finding common ground with all stakeholders.”
It added that there are prominent Owo indigenes that should be considered for the Deputy Governorship slot.
They include Hon. Niran-Sule Akinsuyi who was in the trenches with Akeredolu during the 2016 elections, the leader of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, Mr. Zach Adetula, and Chief Jamiu Ekungba.
Ogunbadeniyi said “Picking from this list will be a fair deal for all stakeholders.
” The current situation is a joint ticket of Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa which they assiduously worked for. Picking from this list will be an honour to the late governor and a fair deal to the Owo kingdom.
“Political equations are delicate, and any perceived unfair treatment of a particular group can lead to tension and division within the state which could cause further friction and mistrust between different groups in the state.
The group said that “The Governor needs to be mindful of the potential consequences of his actions, and to take steps to address the concerns of the people.”
It is stale news that the fire-eating, yet compassionate, Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, is dead. He will no longer be referred to in the present. From the minute he passed, any reference to him changed to past tense. It is a difficult thing to adhere to, especially for his loved ones And even to his not-so-loved. So, I was not in the least surprised when his former Deputy, now Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, kept referring to him in the present this other day when he visited the Akeredolu family in Ibadan to register his condolences. Given the not-so-cordial relationship between them, I thought Aiyedatiwa would have been eager to refer to his former boss in the past.
This write-up is not about lamentations over Akeredolu passing. Those have been coming like claps of thunder from the minute he passed. But, even though I don’t believe in praising the dead for the fun of it, I will give it to the late Governor that he was fearless, and fiercely protective of the Yoruba. I will give it to him that he loved his wife without boundaries. I will give it to him that he had a lot of respect for his Emeabiam, Owerri, Imo State in-laws who, also revered and loved him in equal measure.
The late Governor was not a Saint. He was not infallible. No human being is. He had his faults. For instance, I was taken aback when, a few days after his return from his medical vacation an impeachment process kicked off against Aiyedatiwa, the man who has now been sworn-in as the substantive Governor. The idea of an impeachment was not a smart one. I felt Akeredolu was in a position to stop it. It was unnecessary. A distraction. An additional stress he hardly needed given the delicate nature of his health at the time.
What I want to do here, however, is to address his very devoted wife, Betty, the Ondo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and some ne’re-do-wells who want Betty on the cross either because she is an intelligent, sure-footed, Igbo woman or because she was very much loved by her husband.
The PDP, Ondo State had no sympathy for the late Governor when he was battling for his life. Its members were so desperate to see Akeredolu declared unfit for office that nothing was beneath them to do.
In all kinds of ways, the Ondo PDP put Akeredolu under intense pressure. Until the day he gave up, he was given no breathing space. The PDP made sure, through a number of, atimes, heartless press statements and releases, that Akeredolu had no rest. He was constantly reminded of his fragile health status. He was constantly told, as if they were his doctors, that he had become incapacitated and so, was no longer fit to govern the State. When he came back from a three-month medical vacation and stayed back at his private residence in Ibadan, the PDP deliberately refused to understand that it could have been on the instructions of his doctors. Its leadership refused to understand that he stayed back in Ibadan to avoid the numerous visitors, including Traditional Rulers, who would stream into Government House, Akure, to see him. Not attending to them would have been considered rude. So, the PDP mocked Akeredolu and his health status no end, put him under constant pressure, and not even his family was spared. But for the pressure on him, Akeredolu could have stayed back in Germany some more before coming back home. Perhaps, just Perhaps, the story could have been different today.
On Akeredolu’s passing, therefore, given their obscene pressure on him, I expected Ondo PDP members to re-enact the scene which played out on the day former Head of State, General Sani Abacha died. In Lagos, led by fiery Lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, some Lagosians trooped out to celebrate. So, I half- expected to see PDP members celebrate Akeredolu’s death. And I thought one of them could have, by now, be sitting inside Government House, Ondo, as the Governor. Whatever happened to compassion?
Then, there is a group of funny characters, cranks, crack heads, who know nothing about the strong bond between Akeredolu and his wife; who know nothing about a loving and peaceful family; who do not care about family; who are haters of a strong bond between husband and wife; who would rather put their wives under their feet and trample on them; who are so bush and uncivilised that they would keep their wives down; who hardly appreciate anything good; who knock heads together; who enjoy knocking the head of one ethnic group against the other; women haters, wife-beaters, who never support their wives to rise or progress; who have a huge complex; a phobia for sure-footed and successful women; who are intimidated by high profile women; who would rather a wife has no say in her husband’s family or her husband’s affairs. They are the ones who went to town in the months leading to Akeredolu’s passing to run his wife down. Since Akeredolu’s passing, they have upped the ante.
Suddenly, Betty who worshipped the ground her husband walked on, was no longer a caring wife. Suddenly, she abandoned her husband in his hours of need, when he was at his most vulnerable. Suddenly she was the one in charge of the Government even when her husband was as fit as a fiddle. Suddenly, she cared more for frivolous things than her husband’s health. Suddenly, she emptied Ondo State’s treasury to develop her village, and turned it to London. These are people who have never stepped into Imo State before, not to talk of Emeabiam, Betty’s village. These are people who know nothing but beer palour gossip. These are Igbo haters. These are people who fan the embers of ethnic hatred. These are charlatans. People without character. People who play to the gallery. To these people, all I can say is: may you never have a sure-footed woman in your lives- not as a wife, a daughter, a sister or a relation. May the women in your lives remain dumb, backward-thinking and with no impact on humanity or their environment.
Finally, a word for Betty. The vivacious Betty. The Betty who lives for the wellness of women. The Betty who lives and breathes girl-child education. The Betty who has produced young female scientists in Ondo State. The Betty who has equipped young girls to think positively and face the world. The Betty who has given hundreds of young girls in the State and beyond self-esteem. But the Betty who feels lost without her man in the face of callous attacks.
It is the usual to ask one not to cry/weep when one loses a loved one. One would be told why one should not cry. “Eh, don’t cry. He/she is in a better place. He/she is at rest at God’s feet. It is God’s wish. He/she will watch over you from there.” And more. But hey, I have seen high profile Clerics shed tears uncontrollably on the death of their loved ones! And my reaction was, why are they going contrary to what they preach from the pulpit?
Then, there are Bible verses which tell us that the dead shall rise again. That we shall all meet at the feet of Jesus Christ on the last day.” I have always wondered about those words of consolation. It has been difficult for me to accept, to reconcile them with the intense pain I still feel in my heart, 25 years since after I lost my younger brother. If “that place” is better, why does everybody, including the leaders of all religions, avoid going there as soon as possible? Why do they go to the best hospitals when they are ill? Why are they not anxious to die si as to be at the feet of Christ our Lord?
My opinion has always been that one should not be given any false hopes about a reunion, or about the dead being happy or being in a better place. One should be allowed to mourn when bereaved. One should be allowed to weep when one loses a loved one. One should not be bottled up. To Betty, therefore, I say weep.
Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu
There are many reasons why she should weep. She and her husband were so much into each other. They were best friends. They were soul mates. He was the man who gave her a free hand and space to fly and break the ceiling. He gave her space to blossom. Her best fan. The man who was not intimidated by her many successes. The man who flaunted his wife’s successes. She and her husband were such great partners, strong partners in the development of Ondo State. In them, Ondo people voted one (Rotimi) and got one (Betty) free.
In every way, she was a very supportive spouse, a listening and effective First Lady. She embarked on a number of programmes to keep the youths busy. She simplified and demystified cancer and made not only Ondo women, but Nigerian women to stop seeing Cancer as a death sentence. She gave them hope. And courage. And support. And created an incredible awareness. And, for the records, she had long embarked on that before she became Ondo State’s First Lady.
It is thanks to Betty that for the first time, the Media knew, and took serious note of the fact that there are other First Ladies in other States aside from that of Lagos State. Before Betty, attention was usually focused on Nigeria’s First Lady and that of Lagos State. Betty stopped all that. From Akure, “she stole the show.” She is computer-savvy, social media savvy. Deep. Brilliant. Innovative. Day after day, week after week, month after month, she had one positive programme or the other for the youths, for the girl-child, for women.
For all her activities, she became the envy of many. Jealousy and bad blood set in. Everything was said and/or done to pull her down, to discourage her. Yet, she ignored all that. And moved on.
With her husband’s passing, the blackmail and the lies have multiplied. They have grown wings. They have risen to high heavens.
But, a strong, focused woman, in the face of the attacks after her husband’s passing, Betty’s response was classic. She posted on her X page, her love life with her husband. She told the story of their first meeting. How both of them fell in love with each other at first sight – a love that endured. She chose to focus on the bright side of life. She chose to remember their times together. That is the spirit.
The appeal to those who are baying for Betty’s blood, who are fanning the embers of ethnic hatred, is to let her be. Allow her to weep and mourn her husband with, and in dignity.
The only crime she committed is that she is an Igbo girl who found love in a Yoruba boy. Both blended. Both bonded. Both produced responsible, successful children who have both Yoruba and Igbo blood in them. And both built a formidable Yoruba-Igbo family nobody can ignore. Let her mourn her husband in peace.
Kano, one of the major commercial cities in Nigeria is also becoming famous for criminal activities going by revelations by the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA).
A report on Sunday stated that the Commandant of the NDLEA in Kano State, Abubakar Idris-Ahmad, told journalists on Sunday in Kano that 1,016 suspects were arrested in 2023 for drugs related offences.
He gave the breakdown as 40 females and 976 males.
The commandant revealed that the agency secured 102 convictions in the out-going year and secured forfeiture of five vehicles just as 104 cases were still pending in court.
Mr Idris-Ahmad said that the drugs seized were 6,098kg of Indian hemp, 1,696kg of codeine and tramadol, and 1,335kg of cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine.
“We rehabilitated 70 clients, investigated 598 visa clearance applications and conducted 245 substance abuse tests, out of which six persons tested positive for different drug abuses.
“We also sensitized 5,000 individuals and engaged Drug Demand Reduction professionals who counselled 1,459 persons.”
Idris – Ahmad further disclosed that the command also destroyed more than 15 tonnes of assorted narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in 2023.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to ensuring the well-being and safety of communities from the devastating consequences of drug abuse.
“We will intensify efforts at dismantling drug networks, rehabilitate those in need, secure convictions and destroy illicit substances leaving no room for drug trade to flourish.”
The Senate has faulted the failure of Military Intelligence over the Plateau State Massacre of the people of Magu, Bokkos and Bakin Ladi in the North and Central parts of the State.
Over 190 persons were gruesomely murdered on Christmas eve, following attacks by Terrorists.
This has prompted the Senate to summon the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
Others who were summoned are the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, the Director General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi, as well as the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The Senate said it was necessary for the Security Chiefs to provide an explanation for the military lapses.
The Senate said it considered the killings in Plateau a national tragedy and blamed it on the failure of security intelligence.
Senator Diket Plang representing Plateau Central Senatorial District on Saturday during plenary lamented the incessant attacks by criminals in Plateau State, raising the need for a National security summit.
In his presentation, Senator Plang who described the incident as a well-coordinated attack, said that the impact of climate change and the growing business of illegal mining have combined to escalate tensions in the area even as he asked the senate to prevail on the military to always deploy its intelligence to forestall this kind of acts.
The Senatorscalled on President Bola Tinubu to urgently act to halt the incessant Killings and security challenges in the country.
It urged the IGP, Dr Egbetokun, to complete the Mopol Barracks situated in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, just as it urged the Nigerian Military to deploy intelligence and aerial in the affected Local Government Areas of Plateau State and its environs.
In the same vein, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North Senatorial District under the All Progressives Congress, APC, called for a need to give an adequate explanation of the inadequate intelligence, asserting that Nigerians are angry with them, hence the need to invite the security chiefs to brief the Senate on the exact situation in a closed session.
Contributing, Senator Abdul Ningi, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District described the massacre in Plateau as unprecedented, revealing that even when there were rumours of the attack, those who were to act completely failed to do anything about it, opening the floodgate of calls for the Security Chiefs to be thoroughly grilled on the matter.
Former Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang has reiterated his call for the establishment of State Police in combating insecurity in the country.
Jang said it is high time the President Bola Tinubu administration looked inward and attend to the call for State Police as a part of measures for boosting security, and ensuring early response in crises.
He stressed that if State Police was considered and structures put in place, the killings Plateau State which have gone on unabated would have been a thing of the past. He said the non-arrest and prosecution of perpetrators which have bolstered the serial killers to carry out more killings, would have been addressed.
Commiserating with the families of the deceased of the Christmas eve attack on communities in Bokkos, Mangu and Barkin Ladi Local government areas of Plateau State, he added that the incident grieves his heart, and prayed that God gives the families of the deceased the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Jang’s statement signed by his Media Consultant, Conrad Clinton Garuba, noted that, “This dastardly act has once again tampered with the peace of our dear State as it was orchestrated by people who are hell-bent on ensuring that the ordinary Plateau man does not enjoy the God- given serinity through nature bestowed on him. Choosing to murder harmless villagers in their homes as they prepared to celebrate the yuletide is the most horrendous wickedness that anyone could imagine, he said.
“None of the hundreds of our people who lost their lives in the Christmas eve attack by marauding terrorists envisaged that their lives would be cut short in such a gruesome manner. Villagers in Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Bassa, Riyom and Mangu LGAs have continued to bear the brunt of terrorists who seem to have sworn to dispossess them of their heritage at all costs. That these killers are out on a cleansing agenda and plan to take over the lands of the people they try to wipe out is no longer hidden.
“As painful as these killings are, equally hard and painstaking efforts must be made to put an end to them to restore Plateau to its known peaceful atmosphere which made it home to many people, even in decades past. While we agree with the President that the culprits must be apprehended and made to face prosecution, we must note that these directives have been issued repeatedly. Yet, neither arrests nor prosecutions have been made in the past.
“It is, therefore, pertinent that at this point, there is the need to attend to the call for State police as part of measures for boosting security, ensuring early response in crises and confronting the challenges of insecurity headlong. A situation where State Governors have no powers to immediately deploy personnel to quell attacks and confront marauding terrorists is worrisome. The killings are getting out of hand and the State Police option is viable for nipping these massacres in the bud.”
He added that “States should be given the power to create, train and equip their police to enable State Governors to deal with peculiar security situations in their various states. More than ever, the time to heed the call for state policing is now. The National Assembly must take this call seriously and rise to the occasion, act in the interest of the Plateau people and consider the issue as a matter of urgent importance.
“While we commend the efforts of the Federal and Plateau State Governments in responding to the recent attacks, we reckon that more can be done to stop the seeming non-stop attacks and needless loss of the lives of innocent villagers who are murdered while in their sleep or as the struggle on their farms to eke a living for themselves. There is more that can be done, the endless killings are unacceptable, and our people must be allowed to stay in their homes, and continue to cultivate their farmlands without any intimidation or fear of unprovoked attacks which leave them homeless or decapitated.
“We call on the people to cooperate with the State Government which has shown commitment to ensuring the safety of Plateau citizens. The killings have assumed a dimension where inhumanity seems to have overtaken humanity but whatever the intentions and purposes of the terrorists, Plateau will survive, thrive and stand tall as the home of peace and tourism. May Plateau State succeed.”
The Defence Headquarters has debunked the contents of a video on social media depicting soldiers allegedly mistreating women under the caption: “Operation Rainbow in Plateau State.”
Brigadier-General Tukur Gusau, in a statement on Saturday said the video was not only misleading but a plot to depict the Military in bad light.
Gusau said the video in question originated from a 2021 incident in Sambisa Forest, involving spouses of Boko Haram members during the capture of their strongholds.
He said the video never emanated from Plateau, and “not in Plateau as being claimed”.
“DHQ wishes to clarify that the soldiers involved in the aforementioned incident were then promptly sanctioned and dealt with by the military authority at the time it occurred for their unprofessional conduct.
“The dissemination of this old video, with a misleading location tag, is causing unnecessary alarm and has the potential to exacerbate the security situation on the Plateau.
“We urge the individual responsible for recirculating this video to cease and desist from further dissemination, as their actions are only serving to add fuel to the security challenges currently being addressed by Operation Safe Haven,” he said.
Gusau said the armed forces were actively engaged in aggressive operations and dedicated to bringing the perpetrators of recent dastardly acts to justice.
According to him, the DHQ remains committed to fostering peace and stability in Plateau, and call on stakeholders and members of the public to support the efforts by refraining from spreading misinformation that could undermine the collective goal of ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the residents.
The Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) has observed that Nigerians have been turned to Internally Displaced Persons, (IDP) especially workers, following inability of the federal government to pay salaries before the yuletide.
It condemned the failure by the President Bola Tinubu-led Government to pay the December salary of workers, stating that such further confirmed that the administration is out to frustrate and inflict pain on Nigerians.
The Party described the failure to discharge such sensitive obligation to workers, especially at this yuletide period as unacceptable and further shows the level of insensitivity of the Tinubu-led APC administration towards the welfare of Nigerians.
“By this action, the Tinubu administration has practically turned our nation into a huge Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp with millions of Nigerians becoming beggars and observing the period in hunger, anguish and misery.
“It is obvious that the non-payment of the December salary critically needed by the workers including our gallant security operatives at this period is consistent with the atrocious character of APC administration to weaponize poverty and further suppress Nigerians to surrender to totalitarianism.”
PDP spokesman, Debo Ologunagba in a statement on Saturday noted that “Is it not provocative that while President Tinubu is busy partying and luxuriating with APC leaders, workers who are putting in their time and energy in the service of the nation are left with nothing to feed and celebrate with their families and loved ones?
“Sadly, President Tinubu would rather approve the frittering of our nation’s scarce resources to sponsor cronies, political minions, hangers-on and their mistresses to expensive foreign trips while making no provision for the salary of genuine government workers.
“Such heartless act by the anti-people APC administration never happened in the 16 years of the PDP in government as workers then promptly received their December salary before Christmas day (25th) to enable them celebrate yuletide and end of year festivities with their loved ones.
“More distressing is that the Tinubu Presidency can afford to withhold salaries even after approving the unbearable increase in the pump price of fuel to over N700 per liter, with attendant high cost of food, transportation, medication and other basic necessities of life.
“It is instructive to remind Nigerians that the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) had earlier this month announced that it shared a total of N1.783 trillion to Federal, States and Local Governments for December 2023, yet workers have not been paid because no cash backing was effected by the Tinubu administration despite huge resources accruable to it. We ask, where is the money?
“Our Party is appalled by the level of profligacy apparent in the APC administration whose actions and policies are skewed towards the promotion and institutionalization of corruption, deprivation and suppression of Nigerians.
“Nigerians will recall that earlier in August, the PDP alerted that our nation’s economy was asphyxiating and grinding to a halt under the increasingly corrupt APC and President Tinubu’s crippling economic policies with consequential negative toll on productivity.
“The failure to pay December salary of workers further confirms that the Tinubu-led APC administration has practically ran our nation’s economy aground with its corruption, recklessness and ill-informed counter-productive policies.
“The PDP demands that President Tinubu immediately account for the trillions of naira accruable from the removal of subsidy on petroleum products in the last seven months.
“Furthermore, the President is requested to come clean on the December 2023 distributable Statutory Revenue of N376.306 billion, distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) Revenue of N335.656 billion, Electronic Money Transfer Levy Revenue of N11.952 billion and Exchange Difference Revenue of N364.869 billion as contained in the communique issued by FAAC at its December 2023 meeting.
“The PDP demands the immediate payment of the December salary of workers and additional compensatory payment of at least 50% of salary of workers to cushion the effect of the economic hardship foisted on them by the APC administration.
“President Tinubu must understand that Nigeria is a Federation that must only be governed by the Constitution and the Rule of Law and not by the whims and caprices of an individual or group.”
