BY: ABDULLAHI ALHASSAN, KADUNA
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has strongly condemned the recent attack on a bus carrying wedding guests in Mangun, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, which resulted in the tragic loss of 13 lives, including women and children. The ACF expressed deep sorrow over the incident and called for a thorough investigation into the attack.
In a statement signed and made available to newsmen by Professor Tukur Muhammad Baba National Publicity Secretary, Said.
According to survivors’ testimonies, the perpetrators carried out a deliberate bloodthirsty mission, targeting the victims based on their perceived religious identities. The ACF emphasized that this incident is not an isolated case, but rather part of a larger pattern of episodic waylaying and murder of innocent travelers in Plateau State based on ethno-religious identities.
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The ACF recalled previous incidents, including the heinous murder of over 26 travelers returning from a religious gathering in Bauchi on August 14, 2021, and the dastardly murder of a high-ranking army officer under similar circumstances on September 3, 2018. The ACF noted that many such incidents have gone unreported or suppressed by the national and international press.
The ACF welcomed the pledge by Plateau State Governor Caleb Muftwang to fish out the attackers for prosecution, with 22 persons already apprehended. However, the ACF emphasized that the investigation and prosecution should be handled by non-partisan federal security outfits, with the outcome made public without delay. Amnesty International and Kaduna State Governor Senator Uba Sani have also called for investigations.
The ACF highlighted the rapidly deteriorating state of security in Arewa communities and elsewhere in Nigeria, emphasizing that insecurity remains a potent existential threat to national security, unity, social cohesion, and nation-building.
The ACF called on the Federal Government to re-strategize the fight against terror, declare a total war against savage scallywags, and implement effective early-warning and early-response strategies.
The ACF urged community leaders, elders, clergy, traditional leaders, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to intensify engagements to encourage community dialogue for conflict resolution, reconciliation, and cooperation.Citizens are also encouraged to furnish security agencies with credible information on terror gang activities.