Plateau Govt seeks probe of military over Riyom killings
The Office of the Special Envoy to the Governor of Plateau State on Peace and Security has called for an immediate investigation into the killing of 27 persons in Tahoo village of Riyom Local Government Area. Recall that at least 27 farmers, including men, women, and children were killed in a brutal attack by gunmen […]
The Office of the Special Envoy to the Governor of Plateau State on Peace and Security has called for an immediate investigation into the killing of 27 persons in Tahoo village of Riyom Local Government Area.
Recall that at least 27 farmers, including men, women, and children were killed in a brutal attack by gunmen in Bindi-Jebbu village, part of the Tahoss community in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The assault, which occurred between 4:00 am and 6:00 am on Monday, left many others seriously injured. Victims were rushed to hospitals, including Jos University Teaching Hospital and Plateau Specialist Hospital.
In a statement signed by Prof. Chris Kwaja, the Special Envoy on Peace and Security, the state government described the attack as “one in a series of deaths against Nigerians, despite the presence of the military and other security agencies in the state under the Special Task Force Operation Safe Haven (STF-OSH).”
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The statement said the attack was avoidable, citing early warning signs and intelligence reports which indicated imminent threats to the affected communities.
“The presence of security personnel with heavy equipment and checkpoints in close proximity to the attacked communities makes the tragic loss of life even more disturbing,” the statement said.
The envoy said it was imperative to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, especially the claims that the military personnel stationed nearby failed to intervene effectively, despite having prior knowledge of the threat.
“While we sympathize with the families of those affected, particularly those who lost their loved ones, we are calling on affected communities to remain vigilant at all times and uphold their responsibilities as law-abiding citizens,” Kwaja said.
The state government demanded that the Chief of Defence Staff should set up a special board of inquiry to probe the serial attacks and killings allegedly carried out by organised criminal groups against civilian communities in Plateau State.
The inquiry, according to the statement, should focus on the actions and inactions of the military personnel stationed in the area, especially officers of the STF under whose Area of Responsibility (AoR) the attacks occurred.
The statement also called for a change in security strategy, urging the Federal Government to consider withdrawing military personnel from flashpoints and replacing them with Mobile Police Squads.
“This change in approach is necessary to ensure a more effective and responsive security strategy that prioritizes the fight against asymmetry warfare, which the MOPOL is conversant with,” the statement added.
It further urged the Federal Government to support subnational initiatives in addressing insecurity, citing the Operation Rainbow security architecture established by the Plateau State Government, with a focus on neighbourhood watch.
The statement said the model should follow the Civilian Joint Task Force framework used in the North-East, where civilians were mobilized and armed under the supervision of the military to respond to Boko Haram threats.
“The people of Nigeria deserve a safe and secure environment, and it is the responsibility of the Federal Government to guarantee such a right to life, by taking full responsibility to protect,” the statement added.