Olawepo-Hashim Condemns Heinous Killings in Plateau State

•Canvasses rapid security reforms to curb bloodletting

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has condemned the Christmas Day killings that occurred in some local government areas of Plateau state,  North-central Nigeria.

In a statement released by his Media Office in Abuja, Olawepo-Hashim lamented the recurring orgy of armed conflict and called for rapid security reform measures that would permanently arrest the unending waves of bloodletting at the local levels.

“The cowardly killing of peaceful villagers in Barkin-Ladi and Bokkos, some in their sleep on Christmas Day shows there is no limit to the barbarism of some people who live amongst us.

“Same Christmas Day, a medical doctor helping to provide community health services was kidnapped and killed in Oloru area in Moro local Government  of Kwara state.

 “How many lives need to be lost before rapid security reform measures that would permanently arrest the unending orgy of bloodletting at the local levels come into effect?” he asked.

In order to break the cycle of killings, Olawepo-Hashim counselled the government at all levels, to address the root causes of the violence, which is being watered by an unhealthy tendency of inter-communal conflicts, disputes over land and resources and deep-seated ethnic tensions.

He equally maintained that perpetrators of the heinous crimes must be identified, apprehended, prosecuted swiftly and transparently, regardless of their affiliations or backgrounds.

This, according to him, will send a strong message that justice is sacrosanct and impunity will not be tolerated.