Plateau Killings: House of Representatives demands immediate investigation into gruesome Christmas eve attack

The House of Representatives has urged the Inspector-General of Police to immediately conduct a detailed investigation into the gruesome Christmas Eve killings of innocent citizens in fifteen villages across Plateau State.

This resolution aimed at identifying the perpetrators and bringing them to justice, followed the adoption of a Motion of Urgent Public Importance sponsored by Rep. Ahmed Idris Wase (APC, Plateau) during a Special Plenary of the House on Saturday, December 30, 2023.

Presenting the motion, Rep. Wase noted that 12 villages in Bokkos Local Government Area and 3 other villages in Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State were attacked at 22:00 hrs and 22:45 hrs on 24th December, 2023. The Plateau lawmaker stated that the death toll from the attacks at Bokkos, Barkin Ladi and Mangu LGAs of Plateau State has risen to over 200 as at 29th December 2023, while many others are seriously injured according to news sources.

Arising from this, Rep. Lalu Ishaya David representing Bokkos/Mangu Federal Constituency and other Members of the House condemned the attack and observed a minute silence in respect of the souls of all those killed. The House Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers) also noted that the incident could have been avoided because the attackers sent out threat letters.

Worried that the dastardly attacks if left unchecked will escalate and worsen the already volatile security situation on the Plateau; the House urged the Minister of Defence to initiate a coordinated Joint Security Operation within these Local Government Areas. He was also charged to do the same in adjoining towns located in Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba and Nasarawa States to flush out criminals and bandits and prevent them from escaping to other States.

Furthermore, the House has urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately assess the extent of damage and displacement in the communities attacked with a view to providing necessary relief materials. Unanimously, it urged the Chief of Air Staff (CAS) in collaboration with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) to provide aerial surveillance and support to flush out criminal hideouts and camps.

Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D, who presided over the plenary referred the motion to the Committees on Defence, Army, Airforce, Police and Legislative Compliance. This is as he highlighted some security setbacks and tragedies that have befallen the country in his address to Members.

The Speaker described the attacks as heinous crimes committed by criminals against innocent citizens and expressed the heartfelt condolences of the House to the families and friends of those who lost loved ones. He prayed that the souls of the deceased rest in peace, while assuring that the House will continue to support the Federal Government’s fight against insurgency and criminality through necessary legislative actions.

Speaker Abbas recalled the sad bombing of Tudun Biri village in Kaduna State by the Security Agencies which led to the death of over 80 people in what was described as a ‘mistaken identity.’ He therefore, called for precautionary measures to prevent a repeat of the Kaduna mishap.

As part of his address, the Speaker reeled out some critical pieces of legislation passed by the House in the last six months to provide immediate relief and long-term solutions to the challenges that have plagued the country.  The bills; some of which bothers on security include: Administration of Criminal Justice Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2023, Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons Bill, 2023, as well as the Nigerian Peace Corps (Establishment) Bill, 2023.

The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill 2023 passed and assented to, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on November 23, 2023 repealed the 1964 legislation and replaced it with a more contemporary legislation. The new law empowers the Defence Corporation to manufacture, store and dispose of ordinance.

The 10th House has as Agenda 2 of its recently-unveiled Legislative Agenda, ‘Improving National Security’ as part of legislative measures to support the government’s drive to curb insecurity. 

Signed:

Rep. Akin Rotimi Jr.

House Spokesman/

Chairman, House Committee on Media & Public Affairs