•JNI condemns killings
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oloyede, has declared that more troops will be deployed to the troubled parts of the Bokkos local government area of Plateau State where over fifty people were killed last week.
Lieutenant General Olufemi Oloyede, who gave the hint on Monday during an engagement with critical stakeholders from Bokkos LGA of Plateau State, called on the residents of the locality to be tolerant, forgive each other and embrace peace at all times as he promised that troops would continue to be neutral, professional and fair to all, irrespective of tribe and religion.
He assured the people that the perpetrators of the heinous crime would be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.
“The security agencies may deploy a battalion of troops to Bokkos, and we may not achieve the desired peace if there’s no synergy with the civilians. The security agencies don’t have the number to deploy personnel everywhere, so we must learn to coexist together,” he said
The COAS pointed out that peace in Bokkos and Plateau State as a whole is possible, but that can be achieved only when all agree to eschew violence and embrace peace, adding that more security personnel are needed in affected communities for the safety of lives and property.
In his opening remark, the General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Major General E. F. Oyinlola, warned that any further attacks on innocent civilians, destruction of property, or acts of lawlessness will be decisively dealt with, adding that the OPSH, alongside other security agencies, will not stand idly by while criminal elements destabilise communities.
“Those who think they can take the law into their hands and go unpunished should rethink their actions because the full weight of the law will be brought upon them. However, while security forces will issue and seek sustainable solutions for lasting peace,” he said.
General Oyinlola, who said military action alone cannot bring about lasting peace, added that sustainable peace is a collective responsibility which requires commitment from every stakeholder.
“Let me quickly remind all of you stakeholders that violence has never solved any problem. Instead, it leads to more pain destruction and deep-seated hatred. History has shown that even the most protracted conflicts in the world have only been resolved through dialogue, compromise and reconciliation.
“We cannot afford to continue down the destructive path. Therefore, this meeting is timely to enable us to understand one another. Address grievances and forge a common ground for peaceful coexistence,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), has condemned the unwarranted killings in Bokkos LGA,” News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported.
The condemnation is contained in a statement issued by the JNI Secretary-General, Professor Khalid Aliyu, on Monday in Kaduna.
Aliyu said: “It is very depressing, to have read after experiencing relative stability and peace on the Plateau, the unwarranted killings of 60 people in Bokkos Local Government Area of the state.
“The JNI under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has monitored very closely the security relapse on the Plateau and condemned in its entirety the attempted return to the former dark days of bloodbath.
“As we have always stated, human life is sacred and should be treated as such.”
According to him, the recent killing spree in Bokkos is worrisome, saying,” We fear that the way things are going, if not well-managed, it can lead to anarchy.”
He, therefore, called on the government to rise to the occasion and act decisively.
He also disclosed that on Monday, there was a report of the killing of 16 people in Augie Local Government Area, in Kebbi.
Also, about 50 people, including women and children were kidnapped in Funtua Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Aliyu added, “For how long would these repeated incidents continue to occur uninterrupted, isn’t it time that Nigerians and the security agents are more proactive, instead of reactive?
“It is with utmost concern that the JNI calls on security agencies to intensify efforts in fishing out the culprits, so that they can be dealt with in accordance with the existing laws of the land.
“We call on the Federal Government as well as the Plateau, Kebbi and Katsina State Governments, to as a matter of utmost urgency, to intensify efforts in enhancing intelligence gathering and prompt dissemination and appropriate usage.”
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