KILLINGS: CAN cries out over fresh plot by suspected herdsmen, says 218 killed in Plateau

After the killing of over 86 in Plateau State on Saturday night, suspected Fulani herdsmen are said to be plotting a wave of attacks on Southern Kaduna and other areas dominated by Christians in some Middle Belt states.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) raised this alarm in a statement by Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, spokesman to CAN President, Rev Dr Samson Ayokunle, on Wednesday.

He said that southern Kaduna chiefdom and towns among which are Gumel, Dagwarga, Daddu, Mariri, Kagoro, hotels, Open University and other soft targets are being targeted for the attacks.

He also claimed that the number of dead as recorded in B/Ladi & Riyom LGAs from Saturday 23rd to Monday 25th June, 2018, we’re about 218.

The statement read, “While we are prone to dismiss these planned attacks as products of figments of imagination, we are, however, constrained to call the attention of President Muhammadu Buhari and other security agencies to be aware and take precautionary measures.

“Having witnessed unprecedented human carnage on the Plateau, we call on President Buhari to place the security agencies on red alert in order to avoid a similar recurrence.

“While we are happy at the statement credited to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo that perpetrators of the Plateau carnage would not be allowed to escape justice, we are quick to remind and appeal to the Federal Government to at least stand by its promise to ensure that these blood-thirsty herdsmen are brought to book to face the full wrath of the law.

“As the umbrella organisation for all Christians in Nigeria, we are at pains at the tragedy that has befallen our members. We mourn the death of over 200 Christians slaughtered on the Plateau at the weekend and we passionately appeal to the Buhari-led Administration to rise up and put a stop to further killings of innocent people, including defenseless women and children.

“Following the killings that took place on the Plateau, CAN has obtained reliable information on the number of dead as recorded in B/Ladi & Riyom LGAs from Saturday 23rd to Monday 25th June, 2018.”

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The Christian body gave the details of the killings in Plateau as follows:

“1. Gashish District:
-Nhyer – 80, Exland(G/Akwati) – 40, Ruku – 34, Kakuruk – 6, Kuzen – 5. Total – 165

2. Ropp District:
-Gana Ropp – 34, Razat – 1, Kwang Jot Near Gen. Hospital (Takwok) – 1, Rakwok – 2. Total – 38

3. Bachi District:
-Shonong – 8. Total – 8

4. Riyom District:
-Kwi – 1. Total – 1

5. Heipang District:
-Chit Heipang 2. Total – 2

6. Vwang District:
-K-Vom Vwang Jos South 1 (OPSH Killing). Total – 1

7. Zawan District:
-Anguldi – 3 (OPSH Killings). Total – 3

Grand Total – 218 deaths

“Apart from the total number of the death, there are still missing persons. Many people also sustained various degrees of injuries,” it said.

CAN listed 37 villages that have been under constant attacks to include Tanjol Jol, Riyom LGA; Rim, Riyom LGA; Wereng, Riyom LGA; Kwi, Riyom LGA; Bangai, Sharubutu Ward, Riyom LGA; Kyeng, Dum, Sharubutu Ward, Riyom LGA; Lwa, Shonong Ward; Gassa, B/Ladi; Lokajoro, Ropp B/Ladi; Kwang Jot, Ropp B/Ladi; Rakwok; Rakung B/Ladi; Sho, B/Ladi; Razat; Tabam, Heipang B/Ladi; Chit, Heipang B/Ladi, and Rafan, Fan B/Ladi.

Others are Tafan, Fan B/Ladi; Nding B/Ladi; Gana Ropp; Kuzen Gashish, B/Ladi; Exland Gashish, B/Ladi; Shwei Gashish, B/Ladi; Nhyer Gashish, B/Ladi; Kuzen Gashish, B/Ladi; Kakuruk Gashish, B/Ladi; Tenti, Bokkos; Daffo, Bokkos; Ruku Gashish, B/Ladi; Darwat, Jol Ward, Riyom; Tashek Jol Ward, Riyom; Wereh(Dorowa Babuje) Ropp B/Ladi; Lobiring Ropp, B/Ladi; Sho Ward Ropp, B/Ladi; Tarai Jol, Riyom; Vwak Jol, Riyom; Dakku Jol, Riyom, and Loton Jol, Riyom.

It also listed villages sacked in Bokkos LGA to include Hurti village in Mangunna Ward; Josho Village in Daffo Ward; Morok Daffo Ward; Ganda Mandung Daffo Ward; Hotom wurrim Daffo Ward; Na kudung Daffo Ward and Fara Dong Hai in Daffo Ward.

CAN therefore called on all security agencies to wake up to their constitutional responsibilities of protecting lives and property.

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“We urge them to be pro-active in doing their jobs. Mobilising troops and policemen after the havoc has been done does not make sense. A government that cannot protect the citizens is a failed government.

“CAN is, once again calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to replace all the security chiefs and the Inspector General of Police because they have overstayed their welcome. It is ridiculous and embarrassing that in the last three years, none of these criminals have been apprehended, detained, arraigned and convicted.

“This is what is emboldening them to kill the innocent with impunity. We are approaching a state of anarchy faster than we can imagine. Why are we following the footpath of Rwanda daily with these unprecedented killings and mass burials when we are not at war?ENOUGH IS ENOUGH,” CAN said.

 

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