The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s recent approval for the establishment of a military base in Plateau State, following the tragic Christmas Eve attacks that claimed the lives of over 200 villagers.

HURIWA, in a press statement, contended that setting up a military barracks in Miller Farm (Gada Biyu) Mbar District of Bokkos Local Government Area is not a viable solution to the longstanding violence plaguing the state.

“Plateau State has been marred by recurrent violence and deadly conflicts for decades, resulting in the loss of thousands of lives and widespread destruction of property. The recent Christmas Eve attacks, which targeted several communities in Barkin Ladi and Bokkos local government areas, left a trail of devastation and deepened the sense of insecurity among residents.

“In response to the escalating violence, President Tinubu approved the immediate establishment of a military base in Plateau State, to enhance security and curbing further bloodshed. The decision was welcomed by some as a necessary step to restore peace and stability in the region”.

However, HURIWA has raised concerns about the effectiveness of this approach. The organization argued that the 3^rdDivision of the Nigerian Army in Plateau State, equipped with hundreds of military personnel and supporting elements, already provides a significant military presence in the region. Therefore, the establishment of another military base is seen as redundant and unlikely to address the root causes of the conflict, even though some may welcome it as a solution. Good as it is in the minds of apologists, it is grossly insufficient so long as there is no closure for all the deaths that have occurred in Plateau state caused by terrorists since the days of the immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari. We think that the government should emphasize justice rather than political appeasement.”

Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, National Coordinator of HURIWA, who signed the Press statement emphasized that the key to resolving the violence in Plateau State lies in addressing the underlying grievances and holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.

“Setting up a barrack or barracks where soldiers will be living is not a solution to the incessant attacks that have been happening in Plateau State and other parts of the Middle Belt,” Onwubiko stated. “The solution is to arrest the culprits, identify their sponsors, and ensure swift justice delivery, including the possibility of applying the severest penalties, including the death penalty and payments of commensurate compensation to the victims of these needless mass murders that have happened long before the emergence of the current administration and has continued unfortunately.”

“A division of the Army constitutes a comprehensive military force comprising between 7,000 to 22,000 personnel under the command of a major general. It typically encompasses a minimum of two maneuver brigades, an artillery brigade, a division signals unit, and other supporting elements. Merely establishing barracks where soldiers reside falls short of addressing the ongoing violence in Plateau State and other regions of the Middle Belt. Although building barracks is good as a way of providing better accommodation for our heroic soldiers but barracks on their own are no viable solution to prevent terrorism.Instant justice and swift military actions to wipe off the terrorists is the best approach and those who carry out mass killings must be apprehended, prosecuted swiftly and punished with instant death penalty. There are no two ways about this simple fact.”

“The imperative lies in apprehending the perpetrators of these heinous acts, discerning their motivations, and swiftly delivering justice. This necessitates thorough investigations to uncover the identities of the assailants and their backers. The most severe penalties, including the death penalty, should be swiftly administered to deter future atrocities.”

HURIWA also highlighted the long history of violence in Plateau State, dating back to the 1990s, and criticized the government’s failure to address the root causes of the conflict effectively. The Organisation lamented that despite numerous incidents of violence and loss of life, perpetrators have often gone unpunished, perpetuating a cycle of impunity and further bloodshed.

The organization further stressed the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice for all victims of violence in Plateau State, regardless of their ethnic or religious background. HURIWA condemned the politicization of the conflict and called on the government to prioritize the protection of lives and properties above political considerations.

“In a harrowing timeline spanning nearly three decades, Plateau State has been plagued by recurrent violence and deadly conflicts, resulting in the loss of over 4,000 lives and widespread destruction of property. From the ethnic violence that erupted in 1994 following the contentious appointment of Alhaji Mato as sole administrator for Jos North LGA to the attacks on farmers by suspected armed herders in 2023, the region has been mired in a cycle of bloodshed and turmoil. Militia factions, often divided along ethnic lines, have engaged in endless wars, claiming soft targets and wreaking havoc on communities.

“Despite efforts by security forces and peace-building agencies, the underlying grievances fueling the violence remain unresolved. The mayhem unleashed on innocent lives in Dogo Nahawa and some of the surrounding villages such as Timtim in Barkin Ladi to the recent spate of attacks, including the tragic Christmas Eve killings in Barkin Ladi and Bokkos LGAs, underscore the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address the root causes of the conflict and restore lasting peace in Plateau State.”

In conclusion, HURIWA asserted that the establishment of a military base is not a sufficient solution to the violence in Plateau State. Instead, the organization advocated for a comprehensive approach that includes rigorous law enforcement, thorough investigations, and swift prosecution of perpetrators to end the cycle of violence and ensure lasting peace and security in the region.

HURIWA reiterated its commitment to advocating for justice and accountability for all victims while urging the government to take concrete steps towards addressing the root causes of the conflict and fostering reconciliation among the diverse communities in the region.

“In Nigeria, a country governed by laws and constitutional democracy, the recent decision to establish a military base in Plateau State as a response to ongoing violence raises critical questions. Despite the presence of a division of the Nigerian Army in Plateau State during these attacks, the proposal for a single barracks is insufficient.

“We, as civil rights advocates emphasize the need for rigorous military intelligence and assert that Nigeria possesses the necessary resources to address the crisis effectively. The failure to apprehend perpetrators and deliver justice has raised concerns about the country’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and preventing impunity.

“With billions of Naira allocated annually to security agencies, We call on the government to prioritize decisive action over ineffective measures, lest Nigeria’s reputation as a constitutional democracy be undermined,” HURIWA concluded.