In what is a clear vote of no confidence in Nigeria’s defence and security agencies, the Plateau State House of Assembly on Friday asked residents of the State to arm and defend themselves.
Chairman, House Committee on Information, Dasun Philip Peter, told journalists in Jos, Plateau State capital, while reviewing the crisis that has engulfed the State in the last few weeks, said the conventional security means can no longer guarantee safety for citizens.
The House also gave Governor Simon Lalong two weeks to act on the resolutions it forwarded to him on how to restore peace, saying that the lawmakers will take action if the government fails to act within the two-week ultimatum.
He urged the security operatives to fish out the perpetrators of the mayhem and punish them according to the law.
“On behalf of the Plateau State House of Assembly, I wish to sympathize with the Government and People of Plateau State on the barbaric and dastardly killings that have been taking place in different communities of Bassa, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Jos North, Jos South, Mangu, Riyom, University of Jos Community and recently that of Yelwa Zangam.”
“The House condemns all these killings in totality, all these killings are unacceptable and condemnable. We commiserate with the families of all those who lost their love ones during these attacks.
“We strongly call on Plateau People to practically stand up and defend themselves and their communities, as the conventional security design is no longer guaranteeing our safety as a people.
“We commend the youths on the Plateau for sustained coordinated and organized campaigns against the killings and as well the courage to make it go viral by sending strong messages to the world using the dead bodies of the mayhem on the social media and the streets of Jos; the display of the corpses in the House is a sign that they recognized the authority of the House of Assembly as an institution that can speak for the people. We greatly appreciate that action.
“As an Assembly with people at heart, we call on Plateau State citizens to have confidence in us with renewed commitment as we have given two (2) weeks to the Governor to take action on the resolutions the House has forwarded on security matters and how to restore peace.
“We call on the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong, to come up with a statement defending us as a People and to bring back renewed commitment to the cause of Plateau.
“We are still expecting with high hopes, the President to also come up with a statement about the killings in Yelwa Zangam just as he did in the killings of travelers along Rukuba Road and to also indicate a sign of justice or we will see him as being reflexive about the conflict in Plateau,” he said.
The Chairman further explained that as an Assembly, they are committed to the yearnings and aspirations of the people, adding that they deeply appreciate the calls made by Plateau people, both at home and in the diaspora, to encourage them and to task them to do the needful and save Plateau and its heritage.