From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) has demanded President Bola Tinubu to stop the cycle of killings in Plateau State.
The NAS Capoon, Mr Abiola Owoaje in a press statement, entitled, ‘The Bloodshed on the Plateau Must Stop’ expressed solidarity with the victims and called for swift arrest and prosecution of all those culpable.
He decried what he called the negligence and ineptitude that perennially afflicts Nigeria’s security architecture especially the centrally-controlled policing system.
According to him it is unbelievable that with the presence of different joint security teams in Plateau State set-up to checkmate the nefarious activities of criminal elements from unleashing havoc on lives and properties, rampaging marauders would operate unhindered for three straight days without being restrained or interdicted by our security forces.
Owoaje who stated that Nigeria is exhibiting characteristics of a failed state , pointed out that the Tinubu Presidency is manifesting similar traits of aloofness the Buhari Presidency had for the killings in the middle- belt and other parts of Nigeria.
He called on President Tinubu to demonstrate to Nigerians that his government is capable of protecting them, stressing that the central policing system in Nigeria has failed and it is time for Tinubu to lead the charge for a State Police.
Owoaje said the argument in favour of federalism canvassed by Tinubu when the Western Nigeria Security Network( WNSN) code-named Operation Amotekun was established should come to play in activating necessary provisions for the establishment of State Police.
The statement reads in part, ‘’ We urge President Tinubu to roll up his sleeves and take proactive steps to deal with the wanton acts of constant brutality once and for all.. His condemnations of terrorist’s attacks and what is gradually becoming perfunctory directives to security agencies to interdict future attacks are not enough. The rudderless nature of predecessor must not be the hallmark of his administration.
‘’It is no longer reasonable to ignore the age-long herders/farmers’ tussle for land which is at the root cause of the violence in Plateau State. President Tinubu should as matter of urgency summon the political will to convene a sincere and frank discussion with all stakeholders to resolve this intractable conflict which has turned Plateau into a theatre of war. All avenues to return peace to Plateau State should be explored with all sense of responsibility.
‘’We implore President Tinubu as the Commander-in-Chief to gird his loins and live up to expectations. Though it is commendable that Vice-President Kashim Shettima was in Plateau to commiserate with the people, this is not sufficient strategy for a traumatised people seeking justice. They need a roadmap to reassure them that their government is capable of protecting them from killers. They yearn for a government that brings its full weight to crush terrorists. A time like this mandates that genuine leadership sends a strong signal to terrorists with its actions that the state has the capacity and willingness to neutralise them.