Killings: HURIWA slams police for faulting courageous Plateau vigilantes

…Urges vigilantes to continue defending themselves

By Ogaga Ariemu

Civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), on Tuesday, lambasted the Plateau State Police Command for faulting the courageous act of vigilantes in the state who mobilised and confronted rampaging Fulani bandits.

HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, in a statement to Nigerian NewsDirect, said it is condemnable that the police accused the armed vigilantes of murder when they have only confronted their killers.

Recall that a total of 18 persons reportedly lost their lives after bandits invaded the Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State over the weekend. Whilst the vigilantes killed 16 bandits during the gun duel, two of the gallant vigilantes paid the supreme price.

The bandits had before their invasion threatened the people to vacate the communities in the local government but the vigilantes pulled a surprise and defended their homelands. The incident had happened in the Bangalala community of the Council area on Saturday evening.

Also, at least seven persons were also killed in the Jos South LGA of Plateau by suspected herdsmen, who invaded the Joro Manu village on Sunday on motorcycles and shot anyone in sight.

It is important to state that at least 7,222 Nigerians have been killed and 3,823 abducted as the country witnessed 2, 840 incidents of insecurity between January 1 and July 29, 2022. This is according to a data released by the Nigeria Security Incidents Tracker by Beacon Consulting.

“The renewed killings by Fulani terrorists and the indecisive actions of the security forces to stop it is condemnable. The irresponsible comment reportedly made by the Police Public Relations Officer in Plateau, DSP Alfred Alabo, is not commonsensical.

“Saying that the vigilantes did not consult any security agency before launching the attack is reckless and irresponsible going by the fact that the police had repeatedly failed to protect the people of the North Central state.

“Also saying that the vigilantes might have unknowingly committed murder during their defence against their aggressors is also condemnable and despicable. Where were the police when hundreds of innocent Plateau natives are slaughtered?”