SHINA JO
31/12/23
Senate has summoned Service Chiefs over Plateau massacre which claimed over 100 lives in Bokkos, Mangu, Barkin-Ladi LGAs, and other communities of the state.
Senate is expected to meet the Service Chiefs, DSS, NSA, IGP, and other heads of security agencies at a closed session to brief it on the Christmas Eve killing in Plateau State
The resolution of the upper chamber follows a motion by senator Diket Plang ( APC , Plateau Central) on the need to upscale security Operations in the area
Leading debate on the motion, senator Plang lamented that the recent attack appears to be a well- coordinated and well-orchestrated with about 20 villages attacked simultaneously, leading to the loss of about 195 lives with others having varying degrees of life threatening injuries and permanent deformities.
He noted that Plateau State known as the Home of Peace and Tourism is gradually losing its once peaceful nature and atmosphere due to incessant crisis and attacks by marauding criminals.
He added, “Mangu, Bokkos and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State located within the Plateau North and Plateau Central Senatorial Districts have consistently come under attack by criminal elements in the last few months, with the recent attack on the 24th of December 2023 (Christmas Eve).
In his submission senator Simon Lalong expressed disappointment on the security report that attributed the failure of the security agencies to arrest the situation to proximity , terrain and distance of the affected villages
He lamented that these attacks have become a recurring decimal where every Christmas Eve in Plateau comes with attacks on villages
He proposed the involvement of traditional rulers in the fight against Insecurity while also proposing the creation of a North Central Commission for the development of the Zone .
Another senator who was quick to condenm the attack , Titus Zam lamented that Benue state has had its own share of attacks leading to death of several person
The Federal Lawmaker said that there is no difference in the security situation of the country in the last six months
He narrated his ordeal while in his village to celebrate Christmas, where an attack led to the loss of three persons and several others injured
He however called for a robust National security summit that will come up with resolution on best and lasting ways to curb insecurity in the country
Adam Oshiomole in his contribution pointed that the service chiefs need to know that the country is angry and they have failed in their duty, and there must be consequences for failure
Oshomole says the service chiefs had assured that security in the country will improve yet no result to show
He says the service chiefs must explain why they should not be held for the killings in Plateau state
Senate thereafter observed a minute silence in honour of the victims and resolved to send a high powered delegation led by the President of the Senate to the crisis areas to condole with the victims.
The Senate further urged the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to direct its agencies to provide relief materials especially building materials to the victims of the crisis with immediate effect to enable them relocate back to their homes and decongest the IDP camps.
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