In the aftermath of the horrifying Christmas Eve massacre that claimed the lives of at least 195 people in Plateau State, the region is now facing a renewed threat.
The Middle-Belt Forum (MBF) has disclosed that the Pushit community in Mangu Local Government Area (LGA) has received ominous letters from insurgents indicating an imminent attack.
As the nation grapples with the shock of the recent tragedy, concerns about the security situation continue to mount.
MBF Deputy National President Stanley Kavwam made the revelation in an interview on Arise TV, stating that the terrorists were planning to launch an attack on the Pushit community on December 29.
The disclosure comes at a time when none of the perpetrators from the Christmas Eve massacre have been apprehended, adding an extra layer of urgency to the situation.
Renewed Calls for Investigation and Action
The United Nations, Northern Caucus of the House of Representatives, and Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda are among those demanding a thorough investigation and probe into the recent attacks.
The scale and brutality of the coordinated assaults on approximately 25 Plateau communities have left more than 3,000 injured, 10,000 displaced, and 1,290 houses razed.
The nation is now grappling with the aftermath of one of the deadliest attacks in recent history.
The national President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Francis Oke, has urged President Bola Tinubu to deploy the full force of federal might to end the spate of insecurity, particularly in Plateau State.
The urgency expressed by Bishop Oke emphasizes that the quest for peace in the state can no longer be postponed.
Prophet Isa El-Buba, convener of the Initiative for a Better and Brighter Nigeria (IBBN), echoed these sentiments, calling on President Buhari to interrupt his holidays and address the security crisis.
El-Buba specifically urged the President to send a comprehensive bill for state policing to the National Assembly, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to combat insecurity.
Mr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim joined the chorus of voices seeking security reforms.
In the face of escalating attacks and the apparent inability to prevent them, the nation is now at a critical juncture, demanding swift and effective action from both the government and security forces.
Military’s Knowledge and Alleged Inaction
Stanley Kavwam of the Middle-Belt Forum claimed that the military is aware of the identity of the attackers and their hideouts.
Shockingly, Kavwam stated that some communities are still being invaded, and distress calls to security personnel reportedly went unanswered before the recent attacks in Plateau.
“In all the attacks that were orchestrated, there was a letter to that effect that was dropped by an anonymous person, intimating the residents of Mangu LGA that there would be attacks,” Kavwam revealed during the Arise TV interview.
Despite receiving over 30 distress calls before the Christmas Eve massacre, security agencies allegedly failed to intervene effectively.
Kavwam emphasized that most of the communities targeted in Plateau were Christian settlements, and the attacks often lasted for about 24 hours without any security presence.
Furthermore, Kavwam disclosed that Pushit community in Mangu LGA had received a letter warning of an impending attack on December 29.
This revelation raises serious questions about the preparedness and responsiveness of security forces in the region.
Community Perspectives and Pleas for Assistance
A Plateau socio-cultural group, Bokkos Local Government Like-minds Association, condemned the attacks in Bokkos LGA, Mangu, and Barkin Ladi LGAs.
The group expressed horror at the recent massacre, which resulted in the loss of lives, injuries, and displacement of many residents from their ancestral homes.
While commending the efforts of security personnel, the group called for intensified efforts in information sharing, arrest, and prosecution of the perpetrators.
They also expressed concern over the arrest of victims defending their communities and called on the government to release those detained while defending themselves.
Government’s Response and Promises of Intelligence Scaling
The Federal Government, represented by Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris, extended condolences to the families of the victims.
Idris assured the public that efforts were underway to scale up intelligence gathering and crisis response across security and intelligence agencies at the federal level.
“At the federal level, all hands are on deck across the security and intelligence agencies to scale up intelligence-gathering and crisis-response efforts,” stated Minister Idris.
As Plateau State remains on edge, the nation watches closely, hoping for swift and decisive action to prevent further bloodshed and bring those responsible for the recent atrocities to justice.
The calls for urgent investigations, security reforms, and proactive measures are resonating not only in Plateau but throughout the country, reflecting the collective desire for a safer and more secure Nigeria.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
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