Plateau Killings: CAN Cries Out to UN, AU, Commonwealth for Rescue
*Says Nigerian security compromised
*'President Buhari's response is irrelevant'
Following the barbaric killings in Plateau State
perpetuated by Fulani herdsmen, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)
on Monday cried out to the United Nations, African Union and the Commonwealth
for rescue.
The association maintained that the cry to the
world bodies for rescue had become imminent given the failure of Nigerian
security agencies to prevent incessant cases of killings in the Middle Belt in
the last three years.
Reports have indicated that about 200 persons,
including women and children, were slaughtered by Fulani herdsmen in Barkin
Ladi, Riyom and Jos South Local Government Areas of Plateau State between last
Saturday and Sunday.
Speaking on the killings, CAN President, Rev. Supo
Ayokunle, said the association was disappointed and shocked at the spate of
killings that was unleashed on three local government areas of the state by
herdsmen.
The group said: "We noted that the affected
communities are yet to come out with the exact figure of the death toll, we are
alarmed that no fewer than 86 lives, as confirmed by the police, have been
lost, including defenceless women and children.
"Against the backdrop of the wave of attacks
on innocent citizens, CAN has come to the conclusion that the federal government
has been overwhelmed by the current security challenges.
"We once again call on the UN, Commonwealth of
Nations and the AU among others to assist the Nigerian Government to protect us
against these criminals."
Ayokunle added that despite assurances and promises
by President Muhammadu Buhari that his government was committed to safety of
lives and property, these coordinated and premeditated attacks on Plateau towns
were not only horrendous but also unprecedented.
"CAN is at a loss how scores of people can be
killed without any form of resistance by soldiers deployed to contain the
security challenges. How could dare devil criminals assault communities without
resistance by security agencies to stop these killings? Are these herdsmen in
bed with soldiers to unleash mayhem on these peaceful communities?" The
Christians group asked rhetorically.
CAN further asked: "Of what relevance is the
intelligence gathering by the Department of State Services (DSS) and other
security agencies, if communities can be attacked and hundreds slaughtered
without security organisations providing rescue efforts?
"It has become obvious that the Nigeria’s
security system has been compromised. From all indications, these attacks on
the Plateau clearly show that the federal government needs to review its
security machinery in a bid to make it effective."
CAN added that considering the level of human
carnage of these attacks, it once again called on government not to rest on its
oars until these criminals are brought to book as promised.
"CAN and relations of victims of these attacks
need more than assurances and promises of tracking down these criminals by the president.
Much as these assurances are needed, they have become irrelevant in the face of
incessant attacks that have claimed the lives of thousands of Christians,"
it further stated.
The CAN president also reiterated fears about
"media reports of a secret ongoing recruitment of former members of Boko
Haram into some military and paramilitary formations by the federal government,
CAN is concerned over the security implications of such recruitment that pose
security to our comment if the report turns out to be true.”
Comments