Senator representing Plateau North in the National Assembly and Deputy Chairman Senate Committee on Defence Sen. Istifanus Dung Gyang has described as impunity and wickedness the attack on the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who were trying to rebuild their homes at Rantis, in Gashish District of Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State, killing two and leaving three others with gunshot wounds.
Senator Gyang in a press statement issued by his Media Aide Precious Nyako says that it is obvious that the terror attack was meant to deny the return of the native IDPs to their ancestral home and turn the displaced communities in Gashish into a new homeland for killer herdsmen for permanent forceful occupation.
The statement noted that consequent upon the heinous act, Senator Gyang who is the Deputy Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence is calling on the Commander Operation Safe Haven and the Commissioner of Police Plateau State Command to ensure that the terrorist are apprehended for prosecution. He also urges that security be provided to guarantee the safety of the IDPs undertaking the rebuilding of Rantis ancestral home.
Senator Gyang equally reminded President Buhari of the need to redeem the N10 billion Federal government pledge which was made to assist in rebuilding and resettlement of communities destroyed by terror attacks in Plateau state.
CAPITAL POST recalls that the IDPs were victims of an attack in June, 2018 where over 200 people were killed, property worth millions of naira destroyed and thousands displaced, when some communities in Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas of the State were attacked.
Also, after the incident, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had visited the State to commiserate with the State Government and the survivors of the attacks and assured community leaders that the sum of N10 billion would be released by the Federal Government through the State Government in order to bring relief and succour to the people.
He also promised that a permanent Mobile Police Squadron will be stationed in Gashish to improve the general security of the area.
However, since the incident happened, the living conditions of the IDPs has continued to worsen and they are yet to receive or experience any of the Federal Government’s promises through any agency of the State.
