Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, has described as barbaric the recent attacks and killings by terrorists in some communities in Plateau state, saying it is unheard of even in the animal kingdom.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, December 27, by its executive secretary, Elder Sunday Oibe, Northern CAN called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure that the perpetrators are arrested and brought to justice to serve as a deterrent to others.

Northern CAN warned that the bloody incident should not be swept under the carpet, pointing out that the incident wouldn’t have repeated itself if the perpetrators were brought to justice in the previous occurrences in the State.

The statement read: “The Christian Association of Nigeria in the 19 Northern States (Northern CAN) and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is saddened over, yet another barbaric attack by terrorists on communities in Barakin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu Local Government Areas of Plateau State, which left over 160 people dead while 221 houses were said to have been set ablaze.

“This kind of barbarism cannot happen even in the animal kingdom. It is very unfortunate that in Nigeria, this kind of wickedness appears to have become an acceptable norm as people get killed and little or no effort is made by the authorities to bring the culprits to justice.

“This is one attack too many on the Plateau. Since this democratic dispensation, Plateau has consistently suffered so much at the hands of terrorists and bandits.

“Very sadly the authorities have done little or nothing to put an end to the situation. We are however hopeful that these killings will not be swept under the carpet as it had been the practice in the past following President Bola Tinubu’s directive to security personnel to fish out the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

“The President directed security agencies to fish out “these envoys of death, pain, and sorrow” as he described them and bring them to justice. This directive should not be the usual rhetoric we often hear from government officials when incidents like this happen.

“Mr. President must rise to the occasion to make a difference. It is time to take a decisive stand against murders. President Tinubu must ensure that the security agencies abide by his directive. No society makes progress when criminals go about with sophisticated weapons, killing, maiming, and destroying property without being apprehended and punished.

It further stated: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must not allow Plateau or any part of Nigeria to become ungovernable because of the activities of this gang of criminals who are bent on making life unpleasant to innocent Nigerians.

“Life is already tough and hard on Nigerians as such, this act of maiming of innocent lives has to stop.

“Northern CAN commiserates with the government and people of Plateau state over the unfortunate incident and pray for the repose of the souls of those killed and wish those injured speedy recovery.

“We appeal to those who lost their loved ones to have faith and trust God by forgiving those who inflicted this pain on them, as only God can fight the battle for them.” (The Nation)

•Burnt houses and crops following the attack by gunmen on Te’ega village in Plateau state on Friday