Plateau killings will continue unless… – Rep

The police claim only four people were killed in the attack

A member of the House of Representatives, Simon Mwadkom, has said peace will continue to elude Plateau State as long as the government does not arrest and prosecute offenders.

Mr. Mwadkom, who represents Barkin Ladi and Riyom Federal constituency of Plateau State, said “people commit atrocities at will because they know they will go scot free,”

The lawmaker, on Thursday, while addressing Journalists in Jos, the Plateau State capital, added that “killing innocent people is gradually becoming a natural phenomenon in Nigeria.”

Mr. Mwadkom also confirmed that about 17 people were killed in Riyom and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas between Tuesday and Wednesday.

He described the latest attacks as “barbaric and unacceptable” saying the attacks were unfortunate and caused a setback in the peace process, at a time the area is experiencing relative peace.

The lawmaker said the attacks, which are localized in these areas, have continued because the security agencies are unable to arrest or prosecute those behind such crimes.

The Plateau State Police Public Relation Officer, Abu Emmanuel, however claimed that only four people are confirmed to have lost their lives to the renewed attacks.

Mr. Emmanuel said investigations into the attacks have commenced; adding that so far, no arrests have been made.

The police spokesman called on residents of the affected areas to go about their normal activities without fear, as security agents have been dispatched to the area. He also called on the general public to report suspected persons within their areas, particularly strangers who move at odd hours.

Meanwhile, a dusk to dawn curfew has been imposed on Barkinladi Town, headquarters of the local government. The Chairman of the Local Government council, Emmanuel Lohman, gave the directive Tuesday after a Security Council meeting in his office. According to the council boss, the curfew was part of measures to restrict movement of suspected attackers during odd hours.

In a related development, Bokkos Local Government Authorities had last week banned the operation of beer parlours and social joints from 8p.m. till dawn, until security situation improves in the area.