Atiku: FG’s Commitment to Eliminate Security Threat Will Stem Attacks in Nigeria

•Mutfwang declares one week mourning

Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has said the determination by the federal government to eliminate security threat through arrest and prosecution, could help stem the tide of attacks across the country.

Similarly, the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has announced a week of mourning from January 1st to January 8th, 2024 in honour of those killed in the Christmas Eve attacks across Bokkos, Mangu, and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas of the state.

Atiku, who spoke against the backdrop of the recent killings in Plateau, however, called for tougher action by the government in terms of prompt and proactive measures.

He said those attacks could be stemmed only when the government shows utmost determination to eliminate the threats by expanding the security architecture in the country and fast-tracking the arrest and prosecution of those involved in such dastardly acts to serve as a deterrent.

According to a statement by his media aide, Paul Ibeh, Atiku expressed concern about the frequency of the barbaric attacks on innocent people by outlaws, noting that under no circumstances should murderous criminal groups be allowed to take life without immediate consequences from the government.

He said the rate at which innocent people were being massacred in Plateau, Kaduna, Zamfara and other areas plagued by insecurity, was embarrassing, explaining that, “only prompt and decisive action by the government can halt this madness.”

The former vice-president observed that the calls for multi-level policing stemmed from the growing frustration with the government’s seeming helplessness to crush these outlaws.

“The spate of these attacks is also a sad testimonial to decadence in the judiciary, because a situation where criminals are set free by the court without diligent trials is capable of dampening the morale of law enforcement officers and other security agencies,” he said.

Atiku warned that abandoning the people to their fate in the face of existential threats was not an option because protecting the lives and property of the citizens was a primary responsibility of governments anywhere in the world.

The statement noted that but for his absence, the former vice-president would have visited Plateau to emphasise with the people of the affected communities.

He, however, prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased, stressing that no resource should be spared in taking care of the maimed and displaced.

Meanwhile, in a statewide broadcast, Mutfwang, has directed that flags should be flown at half-mast and urged citizens to engage in intense prayers for divine interventions against those perpetrating violence in the state.

He specifically appealed to Muslim and Christian leaders to dedicate Friday 5th and Sunday 7th January 2024 respectively for special prayers.

He described the attacks as premeditated and coordinated acts of criminality, insurgency, and terrorism, emphasising the need to address them as such.

Refuting the traditional narrative of Farmer-Herder clashes, he unequivocally labeled the incidents as genocide.

The governor acknowledged the resilience of Plateau citizens in the face of adversity and expressed confidence that 2024 would bring hope and opportunities in reflection of the inner strength of the people.

He highlighted some of his administration’s achievements since assumption of office, to include efforts to revamp security, clear salary backlogs, and  payments of gratuity, death benefits, and pension arrears.

He also announced a fuel subsidy of N10,000 per month for workers from September 2023 to March 2024, pending a federal wage review.

Mutfwang provided updates on the progress of revamping the railway track from Bukuru to Jos, expressing optimism about its commencement by the end of January 2024.

He thanked President Bola Tinubu for the prompt response and relief efforts over the security challenges that confronted the state.

The governor expressed hope that Plateau would become a global destination, drawing parallels with the transformation of Rwanda after years of internal conflicts.