The Christian Association of Nigeria in the 19 Northern States (Northern CAN) and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has expressed sadness over the barbaric attacks by terrorists on communities in Barakin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu local government areas of Plateau State, which left over 160 people dead with no fewer than 221 houses set ablaze.
A statement issued by Northern CAN secretary, Elder Sunday Oibe, described the unwarranted attack as one too many on the Plateau.
He averred that since this democratic dispensation, Plateau has consistently suffered so much in the hands of terrorists and bandits, stressing that “Very sadly the authorities have done little or nothing to put an end to the situation.”
CAN further lamented that thousands of people have been killed by criminal elements without the perpetrators being arrested and brought to justice, a situation he said has given the criminals the impetus to freely move about unleashing mayhem on innocent people.
“We are however hopeful that these killings will not be swept under the carpet as it had been the practice in the past following President Bola Tinubu’s directive to security personnel to fish out the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
“The President directed security agencies to fish out ‘these envoys of death, pain, and sorrow’ as he described them and bring them to justice. This directive should not be the usual rhetoric we often hear from government officials when incidents like this happened”.
CAN also called on President Tinubu to rise to the occasion and make a difference, adding that it is time to take a decisive stand against murderers.
“This kind of barbarism cannot happen even in animal kingdom. It is very unfortunate that in Nigeria, this kind of wickedness appeared to have become an acceptable norm as people get killed and little or no effort is made by the authorities to bring the culprits to justice.
“President Tinubu must ensure that the security agencies abide by his directive.
No society makes progress when criminals go about with sophisticated weapons, killing, maiming and destroying property without being apprehended and punished.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must not allow Plateau or any part of Nigeria to become ungovernable because of the activities of this gang of criminals who are bent on making life unpleasant to innocent Nigerians. Life is already tough and hard on Nigerians as such, this act of maiming of innocent lives has to stop.
“Northern CAN commiserates with the government and people of Plateau State over the unfortunate incident and prays for the repose of the souls of those killed and wish those injured speedy recovery,” the statement reads.
