Plateau Killings: CAN charges military
The Christian Association of Nigeria has charged the Nigerian military over the gruesome killing of more than 100 people and destruction of their properties in Plateau State during Xmas.
The association, which represents the interests of Christians in the country, condemned the killing and lamented over the deplorable state of security in the country.
CAN asked the military to do more to gather intelligence and protect civilians in the country. On the Christmas Eve, gunmen suspected to be terrorists attacked 15 communities of Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State that left over 100 dead and several houses burnt down.
On Tuesday, the association reacted through the president, Archbishop Daniel Okoh. He released a statement and made it available to newsmen on Tuesday.
The Christian leader said that the assault on the community was a threat to the nation’s harmony and shared values.
Okoh said, “We condemn these acts of violence in the strongest possible terms. The burning down of houses, and worship centres, and the destruction of properties worth millions of naira is not only a criminal act but also a direct assault on our shared values of peace, unity, and mutual respect.
Such acts have no place in our society and must not be allowed to prevail.”
The Archbishop further stated that “We mourn with the families, friends, and communities who tragically lost their loved ones in the villages of Ruku, Hurum, Darwat, Mai Yanga Sabo, NTV, and Lisham Kwahasnat community in Wase LGA.
“We stand with you at this time of grief, and our prayers go out to you for comfort and strength. The loss of lives, including those of our brethren in the Baptist Church in Chirang village, is a devastating blow to our collective peace and unity.”
He added, “We commend the swift intervention of the Military and the deployment of a joint police and military task force to restore peace and prevent further lawlessness in the affected communities. We recognise the efforts of State Governor Caleb Mutfwang in calling for peace and unity amid such adversity.
“However, while appreciating these immediate responses, we urge the security agencies to intensify their efforts in intelligence gathering and proactive interventions to preempt and forestall these types of dastardly acts in the future. Our people deserve to live in peace, and it is high time we moved from reactive to preventive measures.”
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