Following ongoing killings in some communities in Plateau State, the Anglican Bishop of Jos, Rev Dr Benjamin Kwashi, has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently address the lingering crisis bedeviling the North Central Region.
Kwashi made the appeal while speaking during a peaceful protest by Plateau citizens, who protested to the State House of Assembly to register their displeasure over renewed killings in the State.
The Cleric, while addressing the gathering, revealed that the Plateau State was losing citizens to attacks.
“As a pastor, I have conducted more burial-occasions by attacks than weddings and naming ceremonies since 2001.
“It’s sad to note that most victims of the attacks are armless children, some infants, women and youth; the present administration must end the killings, attention should not be concentrated only at the north east alone, people are being killed here in Plateau, Benue Nasarawa and Kaduna states.”
Responding, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon Peter Azi, said the legislature was working towards curtailing incessant killings of residents of the State.
Azi condemned the killings, and said the House under his leadership would see to the end of the killings.
In his earlier address, Leader of the protesters, Dr Daniel Meshak, observed with disappointment that most parts of the State were under siege, particularly in Barkin Ladi and Riyom LGAs, adding that most of the affected communities had been deserted due to activities of attackers.
Meshak revealed that over 50,000 people were “displaced from their homes, with many being killed; as we speak, four of our members, on their way to join us in this peaceful protest today (Monday) were killed, we do not know who will be next.”
It is no longer news that commuters along Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu Council Areas, have been severally ambushed and killed through attacks.
Some of the inscriptions on the placards included: “Plateau is under siege; Mr President, come to our rescue. Mahanga is no longer safe. Sambisa forest now exists in Jos. Stop the genocide on the Plateau.”
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