By Chijioke Kingsley
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – The dead bodies of those butchered in cold blood by suspected Fulani serial killers have always attracted government dignitaries to the State.
These dead bodies would have wished that government officials would visit them when they were alive to proffer solutions to the crisis that always lead to their demise. https://sundiatapost.com/plateau-killings-can-confirms-terrorists-informed-residents-before-attack/
For the past 13 years the State has suffered from religious attacks, farmers herders clashes and ethno-religious conflicts leading to wanton loss of life.
The situation is not beyond government intervention if the political will to call a “spade a spade”, is employed to address the lingering conflict.
After each section of serial killings, the President of the country, Vice President, Military Service Chiefs and other top government functionaries will fly in, visit the affected communities, read riot acts, make pledges and then depart.
Most times even when they are still in the State holding town hall meetings with stakeholders, the bandits will still strike in a nearby community demonstrating that their visit is only to pay lip service.
If the visit of these top dignitaries are anything to go by, the killings and remote courses of this crisis would have been nipped in the bud. https://sundiatapost.com/plateau-killing-goc-warns-against-reprisal/
The Military Task Force positioned in Plateau to restore peace for over a decade, most times are not properly funded to carry out their mandate effectively.
Lack of adequate manpower, mobility equipment and superior firearms have also hampered the efficiency of the taskforce.
Since April 2023, Mangu Local Government Area of the State has been under attack by suspected Fulani bandits. Many communities within the LGA have been displaced, while thousands have lost their lives.
Only two days ago, Christmas Eve to be precise, bandits strike again destroying homes and leaving over 115 people killed with many injured and scared in various hospitals in the State, where they are receiving treatment.
As usual, the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa all flew into Plateau to visit the affected communities and also visit hospitals where the wounded are receiving treatment.
The Governor of the State, Caleb Mutfwang, during a Television broadcast, had said the aim of the attacks is targeted at land grabbing, saying that many inhabitants of the land are now displaced and are living in various IDP camps.
The President, Bola Tinubu has also given security agencies a matching order to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous crime.
Will this current entrance of dignities into the State yield any result? Time will tell as Plateau people mourn.