From Jude Owuamanam, Jos
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity and Senator representing Plateau Central Senatorial District, Senator Diket Plang, has expressed deep concern about the resurgence of killings in the Mushere community of Bokkos Local Government Area in Plateau State.
The senator called for urgent intervention to avert a calamity in the area.
Two people were reportedly killed and several others wounded when hundreds of bandits, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, attacked the community over the weekend. The Bokkos Cultural Development Forum (BCDF) also expressed deep concern, stating that more than 100 people have been killed since the April massacre in Mushere Chiefdom.
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In a statement, Senator Plang described the situation as pathetic, noting that attacks have become a frequent occurrence, wreaking havoc on the peace-loving people of the local government area. He highlighted that thousands of survivors of these attacks have been forced to flee their communities for safety.
According to him, the coordinated attacks were carried out by a foreign armed group working with local accomplices under the cover of land grabs. “It is evidently clear that the perpetrators of this heinous crime with dark objectives are trying to chase the people out of their ancestral homes for possible occupation, which has happened in parts of the local government and other parts of the state.
“These elements have been on the prowl since April of this year, starting in Bokkos and spreading to other parts of the Plateau Central Senatorial District. Unfortunately, despite my interactions with other groups and individuals with necessary government institutions, the attacks have not abated,” he said.
While acknowledging the efforts of security agencies thus far, Senator Plang urged them to expand their dragnet and take coordinated, robust action against criminal elements to ensure they do not establish a foothold in any community or village within the senatorial zone and beyond. He further called for strong collaboration among community leaders, vigilante groups, and members of various communities, as well as active support from security agencies, to address security concerns that threaten people’s daily lives.
The senator recommended the immediate construction of a good road network to facilitate easy access for both troops and, most importantly, farmer civilian residents of Mushere. He also advocated for border patrols and the establishment of permanent military outposts in all strategic locations to enhance safety and allow displaced residents to return home.
Senator Plang promised to use all legislative and diplomatic means within his reach to ensure the safety of his constituents and support law enforcement in their quest to bring peace to the entire Plateau Central Senatorial Zone.
“I therefore sympathise with the people of Mushere Chiefdom, Bokkos leadership, and the government of Plateau State in the face of the current circumstances. And I call on the National Emergency Management Agency, Red Cross, and all related organisations to address the mounting humanitarian issues caused by these security challenges,” he stated.
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