Plateau Killings: ‘We Need To Respond Fast,’ Saraki Tells Buhari

“The problem of Boko Haram in the North-east is well known to everybody but this killing by an unknown band of assailants in Benue, Taraba, Plateau and Kaduna States is now giving another dimension to the crisis. Coming at the time we are getting ready for elections, we need to respond fast.”

The above statement was made by Senate President Bukola Saraki following the incessant killing of unarmed citizens in Plateau state, Jos.

Recall that on Sunday, no fewer than 100 people lost their lives in Riyom, Barakin Ladi and Jos South LGA.

“I believe that this attack was carefully planned by the herdsmen in collaboration with some military personnel who aided the attack. We have recovered 34 corpses from Gana Ropp and 8 from Gashis while several others have not been recovered.

“The corpses would be close to 100 because apart from 42 corpses that we have recovered, we are mobilising people to go into the villages to pick other corpses corpses that have not been recovered,” Chairman of Bermuda Youth Movement, Ladislav Choji had said.

Addressing Buhari, Saraki said the president should call the security chiefs to immediately produce quick response measures aimed at tackling the killings

“I am very sad to hear the news of the incident in Plateau State. This is very depressing and giving the impression that the country is not safe.

“If the plan is to develop some long-term measures, we also request that the President should mandate the security chiefs to put forward an immediate short-term and quick response measure which will restore confidence in the system and demonstrate to the criminals behind this killings the capacity of government to tackle the issue,” Saraki said.

The Senate President added that this quick action is necessary because it is important for Nigerians to start having the assurances that the government is decisively responding to the current threat to lives and properties in parts of the country.

“We have to immediately devise a plan through which the criminals behind the killings and their sponsors can be nabbed and made to face the wrath of the law. We have to also develop plans to mop up illegal firearms in the hands of dangerous elements while also stopping the influx of these arms into the country,” he stated.

The Senate President, however, commiserated with the families of the deceased and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured.