Reps Move to Halt Incessant Killings in Plateau Cities and Communities.

Jonas Ezieke, Abuja

The House of Representatives on Wedsnesday decried the incessant and babaric killings in Plateau State by gumen particularly in communities in Bassa, Bokkos and Jos metropolis and has mandated its Committee on Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management as well as National Emergency Management Agency NEMA to intervene with a view to giving relief materials to survivors of these attacks.

This followed the adoption of a motion moved by Hon.Yusuf Adamu Gagdi (APC, Plateau) on the matter on the floor of the House at plenary.

Debating the motion, Gagdi noted that within the duration of House recess, a lot of ugly events bothering on the state of security of Plateau people occurred, which he deemed pertinent to call the attention of the House to take necessary proactive measures towards curbing the hydraheaded monster.

He further noted that it is no longer news, that there were series of attacks and reprisals that engulfed some parts of Plateau state in the recent past.

He said: “Raging from the unprovoked attacks on Bassa communities where scores of lives were killed with farm lands and properties worth hundreds of millions destroyed, to the killing of peaceful commuters on Rukuba road in Jos North on their way to Ondo State from Bauchi and the pocket of silent killings of University of Jos students along University community as well as the most recent killings in Yelwan Zargam community of Jos North Local Government.

“Aware that these barbaric killings have caused a serious breach of peace in some parts of the Jos north and Bassa Local Government Areas but we are grateful to God, and the efforts of the Governor of Plateau State, Rt. Hon Simon Bako Lalong to contain the ugly trend and avoid its escalation to other part of the State.

“Also aware that the said communities have no voice in this House to air their grievances, following the death of their representative, late Hon. Maitala Haruna who died on 2nd April, 2021 which was announced at House Plenary on 13th April, 2021”.

The formore Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembky further noted that he wrote open letter to the President on the happenings in Plateau state, with practical suggestions on how best to handle the crisis situation in the State and beyond.

He also said he acknowledged and appreciates the visit of National Inter-religious Council to Plateau State that was headed by the CAN Chairman and the Sultan of Sokoto and that of the Chief of Defense Staff, where they variously interfaced with stakeholders in Plateau State on these killings.

He called on the House to send a high powered delegation to Plateau to pay condolence visit to the Government of Plateau State to commiserate with the Governor on these sensless killigs.

Consequently, the House presided by the Speaker Hon.Femi Gbajabiamila unanimously adopted the motion with a voice vote.

The House also observed a minute silence in honour of victims of the recent killings in Plateau State.

The Speaker also mandated the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, National Emergency Management Agency and other relevant humanitarian agencies to as matter of urgency, provide relief materials to the victims of the attacks, in order to assuage the sufferings of their survivors;

The House also commended the Governor of Plateau State for taking active steps that prevented the escalation of the reprisal attacks that was imminent following the killings, and the input of the security operatives in that regard;

Lastly the House mandated INEC to as a matter of urgency, conduct bye election to filled the vacant seat of Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency without further delay, so that they can also have their voice back in this Honorable House.