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From Jude Owuamanam, Jos
Vice President Kashim Shettima has condemned the attack on some communities in Plateau State and expressed the commitment of the federal government to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Daily Sun had reported that gunmen in their numbers carried out a simultaneous attack on 25 communities in Mangu, Bokkos, and Barakin-Ladi local government areas on Christmas Eve. No fewer than 160 people were gruesomely murdered and homes and properties worth millions of naira destroyed.
Vice President Shettima, addressing displaced persons at the Bokkos mini stadium, yesterday, said the President Tinubu-led administration will uphold the sanctity of life of every citizen. He assured that the inter communal violence that has targeted the humanities and serenity of Plateau State over the past decades will never persist under his administration.
“We will harness all our resources to bring those responsible to justice. We will not rest until we are able to prevent the recurrence of these heinous acts. Your blood, your tears, and your cries pained our collective conscience. We are here for you. We are resolute in our commitment to ensuring that the perpetrators of these mindless killings face the full force of the law.
“While it may seem that we have failed you in your dying minute, while it may seem that you are all alone, I assure you that this government and, most particularly President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is here to protect you. This government is here to deliver justice.
“We believe that justice is the path to our collective safety, to our unity, and to our healing. Our dear brothers and sisters in Plateau State, we appeal to you to reduce the temptation to succumb to sectional diligence or the poisonous feelings towards your fellow citizens as we pursue justice and ensure your security.”
He mentioned that the violence persists due to the fact that criminals are treated as ambassadors of their groups, while they take the law into their own hands.
He said, “This is a solemn promise on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; please accept our condolences. Please accept our deepest apologies because we won’t rest until you access justice and until you are safe.”
Governor Caleb Muftwang expressed sadness that too much blood has been shed in the state and assured that the government will explore all avenues to find solutions to the persistent killings.
“We have shed too much blood on the Plateau needlessly, and the recent happenings were totally uncalled for; they were uproarious; they were sadistic and barbaric. It was not done by a ghost; it was done by humans. And our call to the federal government is that the perpetrators of this act must be fished out.”
He stated that the visit of the vice president is a demonstration of the political will of the present government to deal with the situation, adding that the state government has discussed it at length with Mr. President and many decisions have been taken and agreed upon for implementation.
The governor appealed to the people of the state, particularly the affected communities, to remain calm, adding that both the state and the federal government are doing everything possible to right the wrongs of the past.
He disclosed that the vice president has directed NEMA to move, adding that before long, the supplies will arrive and that the distribution will be personally supervised by him.
“We have commenced discussion, and before long, none of you will remain in IDP camps. We will ensure that you return to your localities. I want to appeal to everyone that is involved in this dastardly act that we may not have the strength and capacity to fish you out, but God will fish you out,” he prayed.
