Plateau Massacre: Senate Summons Heads of Military, Security, Intelligence Agencies

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Senate, on Saturday, summoned the heads of military,  security and intelligence agencies in the country over the Christmas eve killings in parts of Plateau State.

The red chamber took the decision following a motion by Senator Diket Plang, representing the Plateau Central Senatorial District.

The Senate did not indicate the exact date the military and the security agencies’ heads would appear but explained that its engagement with them would be behind close doors.

Those summoned included the Chief of Army staff, Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar;  and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

Others are, the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar;  Director General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi; as well as the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

Plang lamented the carnage which he said had led to the death of about 195 people, mostly women and children.

He faulted the excuses by the military and security agencies that the incident happened because of the difficult terrain of the area which did not not allow easy access by their personnel.

Plang said that Plateau State was formerly known as the home of peace but bandits had constantly made it to lose its peaceful status.

He stated that the attack that claimed many lives on the eve of Christmas was a well coordinated one.

The Senator explained that most of the crisis affecting the state were caused by cattle rustlers and Illegal miners. 

Plang called for the use of drones and cameras to checkmate activities of the bandits marauding the state and locate their hideouts.

He demanded that the Senate observed one minute silence in honor of those who lost their lives in the attack. 

The senator also urged the upper chamber to direct the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs to distribute relief materials for the affected victims. 

Abdul Ningi,  the senator representing Bauchi Central seconded the motion. 

Ningi said after the attack, he visited the Teaching Hospital in Jos, the capital of Plateau and discovered three months old babies injured by gunshot.

He informed his colleagues that his findings showed that the perpetrators of the heinous act were foreigners.

He said they didn’t know the terrain but were escorted and showed the way by those who were conversant with the areas.

He urged the Senate to support Plateau State with appropriate funding for the welfare of the displaced persons. 

Simon Lalong (APC, Plateau South), who is the immediate past governor of the state, also expressed sadness over the attack. 

He said, “Those who were displaced in 2021 had not been taken back to their homes because the land had been devastated. 

“A man who has been displaced will always be an angry man. Let us call the military to order”, Lalong noted .

Senators who also contributed to the debate on the motion wondered why the military and the security agencies had not been able to make use of technology and intelligence gathering to tackle insecurity in the country.

They also blamed the relevant government agencies for not being alive to their responsibilities by allowing foreigners to have unhindered access into the country from neighbouring countries..

The Senators agreed that the Plateau State Government should strengthen its anti-illegal mining laws with a view to discouraging criminals to secure sites by the illegal artisanal miners.

The Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole initiated the additional prayer which the Senate adopted to summon the service chiefs and heads of security and intelligence agencies.

Oshiomhole, whose prayer was seconded by Senator Sumaila Kawu, said the Senate engaged the security chiefs recently and they expressed their preparedness to tackle insecurity in all parts of the country.

He wondered what had happened despite all support the military and the security agencies had received from the National Assembly in terms of finances.

Oshiomhole said, “They have to give adequate explanation on the inadequate intelligence gathering that could prevent the massacre.

“Nigerians are angry with them, hence the need to invite the security chiefs to brief the Senate on the exact situation in a closed session.”

The Senate President stated that the country needs to increase its surveillance. 

Akpabio therefore directed the upper chamber to observe one minute silence in honour of those who lost their lives in the attacks.

Armed men killed many when they invaded Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi local government areas of Plateau State on the eve of Christmas. 

The Vice President,  Kashim Shettima visited the communities on Wednesday to condole with the people and the state government over the attacks 

The Nigerian Army said its operatives had identified all the challenges resorting to killings in the state, assuring that the military will take necessary measures to overcome all the identified  challenges