Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Plateau State chapter has expressed sadness and pain at the recent spate of violent attacks in Bokkos and Bassa local government councils of the state.
Our correspondent recalled that over 100 persons have been killed in these two local government councils in the past few weeks.
The chairman of the NBA Jos branch, Barr Leah Hasaan, addressed newsmen on behalf of the four branches on the Plateau and said the continued bloodletting in Plateau State must no longer be treated with indifference or vague promises.
She added that the slogan should no longer be enough is enough, but it should be “This is enough, let’s stand up and take action.”
They commended the actions taken so far by the state government and further called on the federal government to take comprehensive and proactive steps to forestall further occurrences of these genocidal attacks on the people of Plateau State.
The NBA said, “This is not a communal clash as stated by some individuals in the society but an intentional attack to wipe out helpless citizens sleeping in their houses in the night by wicked men who have no regard for human lives. ”
“We cannot continue to be silent in the face of this barbaric and evil act of killing innocent citizens and taking over their ancestral lands making them strangers in their own home. ”
The NBA Jos branch chairperson, flanked by NBA chairman Pankshin Branch WT Awe; chairman NBA Bukuru, ST Ahile; and chairman NBA Shendam, David Dashak; also called for the immediate identification, arrest, and prosecution of the perpetrators of these wicked acts.
“We say that all perpetrators who were arrested should be prosecuted in the state and not taken to Abuja, where we do not hear anything about them again, indicating that they have been released.”
The NBA also called on the federal government to deploy adequate security personnel to vulnerable communities with clear mandates for community protection.
” States should be allowed to establish state Police who will be armed with weapons to defend our communities,” they said.
