***Angry Dogara reiterates failure of national security apparati
From Ron-Well Jacob, Jos.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, has condemned the killing of about 200 people in the Church of Christ In Nations (COCIN) Regional Church Council (RCC) Ropp in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Plateau State reportedly by suspected armed herdsmen.
His lamentation comes amid conflicting figures of fatalities in the State.
An anonymous security source put the latest figures at 106.The security personnel disclosed that 31 corpses were picked at Find in Alwati, 34 at Gana Ropp, eight at Shonong; and 33 at Rasat, Raku, Nghar and Tanabo villages. “The situation is so disturbing looking at the killing of innocent persons caught up in the crisis, ” the source lamented.
But the Plateau police command image maker, Mr Tyopev Terna said only 86 corpses were recovered at Gashe District of Barkin Ladi LGA and not 106.
Also speaking, Major Umar Adams, STF Spokesman, confirmed the escalation of the crisis in Barkin – Ladi, Riyom and Jos South LGAs. He said though there were casualties, he could not give the exact number.
Adams said that the security operatives were able to control the situation with relative calm at Barkin Ladi LGA. He disclosed that eight persons have so far been arrested in connection to the crisis.
Hon Dogara, in a statement by his spokesman, Mr. Turaki Hassan, said it was reprehensible that people who gathered to bury their dead would be gruesomely murdered in that manner.
“Our security agencies must rise up to the task of securing the lives of citizens of this country. The attack reportedly lasted from 1:00 p.m. noon of Friday, and lasted till about 8:00 p.m. on Saturday. Where was the Police and other security agencies that they failed to respond to stop the killings?” he queried.
“This further strengthens my constant call for an overhaul of the entire security apparatus of this country. It just isn’t working,” he stated.
He said that rising level of violence and gruesome killings of innocent and hapless citizens poses serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy and must be stopped.