Plateau Killings: Churches alledges religious, tribal bias, demands GOC, Maj. Gen Ali’s removal

The Conglomerate of Churches of Christ in Nigeria otherwise known in “Hausa as Tarrayyar Ekklesiyoyin Kristi A Nijeriya” TEKAN has expressed sadness over the selective justice of the security agencies, especially the Military in handling the incessant attacks of communities by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

TEKAN/ECWA Bloc Leader of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Plateau State Chapter Very. Rev. Moses Ebuga during a press conference in Jos on Monday demands the immediate removal of the GOC of the Third Division of the Nigerian Army, Jos who double as the Commander Operation Safe Haven Maj. General Ibrahim Ali said he has not lived up to expectation.

TEKAN said they have lost confidence on the Military Officer for his inability to handle the security situation in Plateau State.

“The GOC of the third 3rd Division of the Nigerian Army who double as the Commander Operation Safe Haven in the Person of Major Gen. Ibrahim Ali has not lived to expectation. The Military barracks being and situate in the self same Bassa LGA and within a few kilometres radius lie under attacks for long hours and days without any response and protection from the Army. This leaves much to be desired any reasonable and security presence by their promixity and neighbourliness”.

“As a result of these spate of insecurity, we have lost confidence in his ability to handle the security situation in Plateau State and therefore call on the Nigerian Army headquarters to relieve him of these responsibilities forthwith and strongly advise that no one officer should again be made to hold these dual responsibilities”.

The Fellowship of Churches also calls on the Federal Government and all security agencies as a matter of urgency to be responsible to their duties as the security and protection of lives and properties are the primary responsibility of every government.

“We are calling on the security agents in the State to be sincere and non-partisan in the pursuit of their responsibilities, as it seems to favor a selective few or particular group. We decry selective justice and imposition of grave injustice on the peace loving community dwellers in Plateau State and such still remains highly unacceptable”.

TEKAN frowns at the high level destruction of houses and farmlands in Irigwe, Bassa, saying over 30,000 persons are displaced without government’s immediate attention.

“From July 30th to August, 17,2021 over 85 persons were killed, 55 persons were hospitalised, over 3,141 Houses were burnt, 2,901 farms destroyed and 26 villages destroyed all within 39 communities”.

The Church said christians especially TEKAN/ECWA Bloc on the Plateau cannot remain silent while its members and properties are destroyed by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

“We wish to state categorically that, self defence is a fundamental human right enshrined and protected by law and to this, we urged the government to be weary in invading the privacy of law abiding and peaceful citizens and harassing them and dispossessing them of even common kitchen utensils”.

TEKAN however calls on the Government at all levels to take appropriate measures toward managing attacks on the Plateau Communities.