Plateau Killings: ‘Use of Sophisticated Weapons Should Worry Govt, Military’
Tyessi in Abuja
The President/CEO of the Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, Dr. Gideon Para-Mallam, in reacting to the Christmas Eve and Christmas day killings in Plateau state, has said the use of sophisticated weapons by the assailants should be a thing of worry for the government and the military.
In a statement issued yesterday, Para- Mallam, who noted that although the people of Bokkos tried to defend their towns, but were overwhelmed by a fighting force who came bent on carrying out a genocidal mission, queried why deadly arms are allowed into the hands of killers who continue to kill with reckless abandon.
He said if not for the intervention of the army, the casualties would have been more, however, he has called on the military to be more proactive than reactionary.
The statement reads in part: “It would be an error to rashly conclude that the military did nothing.”
That would be a statement made in emotive anger, without consideration of the facts on the situation in Bokkos. Had the military not stepped in the number of deaths would have been in their thousands. However, in both strategic and tactics, the military should be proactive rather than preventive.
“The current approach by the military is reactive as they tend to respond when the damage has already been done. This military damage control approach strategy cannot bring about the progress Nigerians desire to see in bringing an end to the killings.”
While counting the losses so far recorded, Para- Mallam urged the Presidency not to allow itself to be deceived into believing that what is happening in Plateau state is a tit-for- tat situation, adding that “It is NOT! To believe so means following a misleading narrative-decoy which will lead to no peaceful solution that is rooted in truth and social justice.”
“The people of Bokkos tried to defend their towns but they were overwhelmed by a fighting force who came bent on carrying out a genocidal mission. The sophisticated weaponry used should concern our government. How come such deadly arms are allowed into the hands of these killers who continue to kill with such reckless abandon?”
He added: “According to available facts and statistics provided by Mr. Philip Sati Julson, National President, Butura Development Association and Chairman, Bokkos LGA Association of Chairmen of Community Development which was further corraborated by Hon. Monday Kassah, Transition Chairman of Bokkos LGA, the following is a breakdown of people killed directly from the scenes of attacks in Districts include “Butura – 32, one (1) person still missing. Mbar – 29, Mangor – 44 with 50 injured and three (3) people still missing. Mazat -10 (the same Ron people but located in Barkin Ladi LGA. Bokkos – 29, Tangur – 6, Mushere.
“The total number of people massacred in cold blood so far on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are now about 160 and they are still counting. Internally Displaced People (IDPs) are estimated to be about 5,000. Eight Churches were burnt down: Baptist, Dares, CAC, Mbomg, COCIN, Maiyanga, COCIN, Ndun, COCIN, Tahore, CAC, Longhair, COCIN, Ngha-buk and COCIN Church Hurum. All the Eight Pastorium were burnt down. Two Pastors: Baptist and Assemblies of God.
“A breakdown so far shows that 37 Women, 10 Children, 3 physically challenged persons were burnt in their homes as they were unable to run and 110 men were killed. A total of of 25 villages were attacked in a well-coordinated military style assault.
“The breakdown of the villages according to districts are as follow: Butura – 4, Mbar – 5, Tangur – 4, Bokkos – 6, Mushere – 1, Mangor – 4 and Mazat – 1. Total Vehicles cars and buses destroyed – 8, Motorcycles destroyed – 27 and 2 were stolen by the attackers. The total number of houses burnt is about (three hundred and one –301).
“Unfortunately, we have now ended up with a black Christmas. Without doubt, the zeal with which the military acted swiftly to de-escalate the violence and killings in Mangu LGA, needs to be sustained. This same urgency needs to be extended to Bokkos in order to swiftly curb the present genocide in Bokkos.
“The cross-border killings spilling over to Barakin Ladi and Mangu LGAs needs to be stopped as both have had their share of violent attacks in the past.
“Sometimes in 2019, during an attack in Waren village in Barkin Ladi LGA by Armed Fulani Herdsmen. They had threatened that a time would come when Christians would not be allowed to celebrate Christmas. They suggested that Christians will be running with their Christmas meat in their hands and will enjoy no peace in eating such meat.
“Could the current case be evidence of them making good on their threat? This needs to be fully and dispassionately investigated in the search towards sustainable peace and justice as key solutions in bringing an end to this senseless carnage.
“The Middle belt is bleeding. Can there be a Nigeria without the Middle belt? Why is the Middle belt being turned into Nigeria’s killing fields? If truth be told, Nigeria can’t exist without the Middle belt. Criminal elements seek to plunge us into darkness using religion in a disguise way. They must be stopped.
“Today, Nigerians are mourning the senseless Christmas Eve and Christmas Day killings in Bokkos. Nigerians are united in grief: North, South, East, West. Could Bokkos serve as a turning point which could allow the forces of peace overcome the forces of darkness in Nigeria?”
