Paramount ruler decries destruction in lrigwe communities by armed militia in Plateau
The Bra Ngwe Irigwe, Rt Rev Ronku Aka, the paramount ruler of Irigwe ethnic nationality in Plateau State, has expressed great concern over the tragedy that has befallen his people in the Bassa local government area after an attack by gunmen suspected to be Fulani militia.
He lamented a situation where some security operatives deployed in the communities were not instructed to repel the attackers.
DAILY POST reports that he was speaking when the President of the Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, Rev Gideon Para-Mallam, led other officials of the non-governmental organisation on a visit to his palace in Miango to sympathise with the people.
The Para-Mallam Peace Foundation had earlier taken relief materials to internally displaced persons to cushion the effect of the destruction done to them by the attackers.
According to the traditional ruler, the destruction done in his Chiefdom had further exposed the handicap of the governors and the council chairmen as chief security officers in their respective areas of jurisdiction in the country on the need to be proactive on security matters.
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Aku said, “I don’t blame the local government chairman in Bassa or the governor of the state over the calamity that has befallen my people. At peace meetings, the governor will give order but the security men will go and do a different thing.”
He noted that during the recent attacks in his communities, the soldiers and other security operatives were around, saying that as the invaders were carrying out the attacks in Jebu Miango and advancing to other communities, they expected them to confront the invaders and stop the destruction going on but that did not happen.
The paramount ruler stated that when he enquired what was happening, some soldiers cried to him that they did not receive the order to repel the attackers on the communities.
He added that some of them who expressed frustration over the situation wondered the essence of holding guns which they could not use and left the scene while the attackers continued with their destruction in the communities.
He explained, “If the security agents were deployed and allowed to do their job, may be, the attackers would not have succeeded with their evil plans and my people would not be suffering what they are experiencing at the moment.”
The paramount ruler prayed for no more deaths in the communities, stressing that he has told his people not to retaliate what was done to them but they need justice going forward.
Responding, the President, Gideon & Funmi Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, Para-Mallam condemned the destruction in the Chiefdom, saying that the violence in the communities must not be allowed to continue.
He called on the government to double its efforts towards protecting citizens’ lives and property for the unity, peace and progress of the country.
Irigwe people lament killings, destruction of farmlands by suspected Fulani militias in Plateau
