A shocking bloodletting on Sunday by terrorists in Kanam Local Government Area of the Plateau has left 80 persons dead. 70 others were abducted and scores of houses were burnt down.
The victims were Monday given a mass burial, but the terrorist act has sparked anger across the state, where the Federal and State governments are blamed for being unable to stem the tide of killing there and elsewhere.
In Abuja, an advocate of self defense measures, Polycarp Gbaja, raged over the new attack.
“This is unacceptable and inexcusable. We, as the people of Nigeria cannot condone this lawlessness and Executive and Legislative irresponsibility and failure to protect indigenous citizens. We must all speak out and call out both the Federal and State Governments on this reprehensible and brutal acts of well known terrorists. They are not unstoppable! Haba!!”
One of the mourners-in-chief and the member representing Pankshin, Kanam, Kanke (PKK) in the House of Representatives, Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, has condemned the terrorist attack.
In a statement, he commiserated with the families of those who lost their loved ones and prayed God to forgive shortcomings of the victims and grant them everlasting rest.
The lawmaker, who is the Chair of the House Committee on Armed Forces said the Minister of Defence, Gen. Bashir Magashi (rtd) has been contacted over the development and requested for immediate military presence in the affected communities and those bordering them in order to arrest the surging activities of bandits in communities within his constituency.
He fumed at the federal government’s negligence in providing security to Plateau communities, despite intelligence reports by the Department of State Services, of the influx of bandits fleeing to Plateau and other neighbouring states over nine months before this attack was carried out.
According to him, the federal government, which has exclusive control of security apparatus in the country has woefully failed in its primary responsibility of protecting lives and property of Nigerians.
Gagdi expressed outrage at the devastating state of security in the country, positing that somebody has been negligent in the discharge of his duties to Nigerians, maintaing that it was high time the federal government owned up to their inability to discharge this sacrosanct duty it owes Nigerians.
According to a report, affected communities and villages in the kanam local government area are Kukawa, Gyambawu, Dungur, Kyaram, Yelwa, Dadda, Wanka, Shuwaka, Gwammadaji and Dadin Kowa.
A large continental of the terrorists on motorcycles stormed the affected communities on Sunday killing and maiming at will.
As at Monday morning, the council has discovered that 38 persons were killed in Kukawa, Gyambau 24 persons, 8 persons were killed in Kyaram and 10 persons killed in
Wanna adding that the number of the dead in the bush is unknown.
He also pointed out that over one hundred houses were burnt while those with various degree of gunshot wounds are receiving treatment at Dengi general hospital and Jos University teaching hospital JUTH.
70 persons mostly women were said to have been abducted by the terrorists adding that most of the affected villages have been deserted while those who escaped the killings are taking refuge in the nearby council areas.
The tragic incident happened at about 3: 45 pm when people were clearing their farms in preparation for the rains and others were going about their normal activities.
According to source, the Kanam council has been having running battle with the terrorists who wanted to dominate a game reserve located in the area.
The Plateau Elders Forum in a statement signed by its spokesman, Mr Jonathan Ishaku, has lamented the killings of innocent persons in Kanam local government council of the state.
The statement reads:”Just within a week of our press release condemning terrorist attacks on Miango villages in Bassa Local Government area (LGA) and Rantis in Barkin Ladi LGA, bandits have allegedly killed several persons, wounded many and abducted over 70 in Kanam LGA yesterday.
“This is again very sad and we strongly condemn it. This seemingly escalation of violence on our communities further justifies the earlier call the Plateau Elders Forum made on the Plateau State Government in conjunction with the security forces to deal drastically with terrorists in the state.
“Meanwhile we extend our condolences to the bereaved families and succour to the injured”
Police pokesperson in the State, ASP Ubah Gabriel could not confirm the exact number of those gunned down by the terrorists.
▪︎ Additional reports by Tribune