Leading pro-democracy organization, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has blamed the security forces manning security in the middle belt state of Plateau for what it calls alleged ‘criminal collusion and compromise’ with the forces of terror that have continuously unleased venomous and blood-cuddling violence on the largely Christian majority tribal people of Plateau State. HURIWA said the killings of Plateau people are well planned genocide by sponsors of terrorists whom the federal government failed to arrest, prosecute and sanctioned in accordance with the counter terror law of Nigeria.

HURIWA said the Plateau State Governor is actually working very hard within his jurisdiction to contain the killings but expressed consternation that the Nigerian Army is yet to dismiss the GOC of 3^rd division in Plateau State together with all the heads of DSS and Police in Plateau State for their dereliction of duties that have allowed the constant slaughter of the citizens by largely armed Fulani terrorists.

“Continuous failures of intelligence must have consequences unless Nigeria is a failed state otherwise those responsible for security who encourage insecurity by their gross inefficiency and ineffectiveness, should be dismissed from service to serve as deterrence.

“HURIWA recalled that the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, had recently condemned in strong terms the renewed deadly attacks that have claimed several lives and property in Kopnanle community in Mangu and Mandarshar village of Bokkos local councils of the state. No fewer than 13 people were slaughtered in the area on the night of

Friday, April 12, 2024. Confirming the incident in a statement yesterday, the Chairman of the Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC) Vanguard, Farmasum Fuddang, said that under the cover of darkness, more than 50 armed Fulani terrorists” descended on the villages of Mandung-Mushu and Kopnanle, targeting innocent, unarmed and peaceful residents as they slept.

Fuddang added that the assailants set fire on homes and a place of worship, mercilessly gunning down fleeing civilians. He alleged that the nearby soldiers failed to intervene effectively.

“This brazen attack, which predominantly targeted children, appears to be part of a calculated effort to instill fear and perpetrate further displacement within our communities. We condemn this act of terror, which we believe is aligned with a broader agenda to impose Sharia law and seize control of our lands.

“Just hours before this tragedy unfolded, BCDC Vanguard submitted a petition to the Department of State Services (DSS), challenging a leaked memo that falsely accused our people of planning violence against Fulani residents. We unequivocally stated that the intelligence behind the memo was fabricated and defamatory.

“Despite our efforts to rectify these falsehoods, the security apparatus failed to protect our community from the very threats we highlighted. We are appalled by the apparent prioritisation of the lives of Fulani residents over our own and demand answers from the authorities,” he said.

He said that the timing of the attack, following closely on the heels of the DSS’ erroneous warning of an impending assault on Fulani communities, raises serious concerns about collusion or deliberate neglect.

“We refuse to accept such injustice and demand immediate transparency and accountability. This is more so that advance notices of attack in the area were published and circulated at least a week prior to the so-called DSS intelligence. The DSS ignored these warnings and instead chose to implicate the victims,” he said.

HURIWA said the military, the police, the Department of State Services have all compromised with the forces of evils with the criminal intention of turning Plateau State into the axis of terror and killing fields by deliberately failing to pre-emptively stop these incessant attacks including the shameful inability to catch the terrorists that murdered up to 200 Christians from over 19 Plateau State communities last year’s Christmas eve.

“We have said it before, and we are repeating it now that the armed Fulani terrorists are emboldened to keep striking at communities in Plateau State since the security apparatus and architecture seems to be overwhelmed by the presence of moles and saboteurs who are undermining the work of the gallant soldiers of the Armed Forces of the federation.

“It is because terrorists who killed in Plateau State are continuously left by the law enforcement authority to roam the streets freely because of their ethno-religious affiliations, this is why the killings are now a continuous festival of deaths. Let the National Assembly intervene and compel the armed forces to be up and doing and to uncover the saboteurs from amongst them that are in active communion with the forces of terror targeting Plateau State and unleashing cocktails of well-crafted, well-coordinated and concisely executed terror attacks on Plateau indigenous Christian farmers. We call for liberalisation of licences for

Nigeria to own AK-49 and other military grade weapons like those wielded freely by terrorists as the fastest way to end the regime of terror in Nigeria that has lasted over ten years, and we must remember what General Sani Abacha of blessed memory said that if terror attacks go beyond a week, then government is deeply involved. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must end these unnecessary killings.”

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