Member representing Mangu/Bokkos Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Rep. Bulus Maren, has visited the mass grave of the 13 people killed by gunmen in Kulben Community, Kombun district of Mangu Local Government of Plateau.
Maren said that the visit was to sympathise with the deceased’s relatives and the injured.
“This is most tragic and I lack the right words seeing this heaps of sand under which our beloved brothers are laying.
“But what else can we say. First, it is to make them feel secure wherever they are and to also show them that we are with them.
“What has happened to them has happened to us and it is also to assure them that we have not forgotten them,” he said.
The lawmaker said he and his colleagues were doing the needful to ensure that communities were more secure.
As part of efforts to better secure communities, he told the people that a bill for the legalisation of the vigilante activities was before the National Assembly.
He said that the bill had already passed second reading and was present at the Committee of the Whole, the last stage of the legislative process, where it would be passed section by section.
“I want to assure you that once we resume this February, we will make sure that the bill is attended to so that the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) will not just be a voluntary organisation but backed by law,” he said.
Maren called on security agencies to deploy more personnel to Kulben to reassure the people of their security.
The lawmaker who visited the District Head of Kombun, Chief Tetmut Gambo, appealed to the traditional ruler to continue to prevail on his subjects to work for peace.
He expressed worry over the recent events but assured that government was not relenting in its efforts to ensure that people of the area stayed in peace.
Chief Gambo in his remarks, said that the mourning community was somewhat consoled by the visit of the lawmaker.
‘This visit shows the love you have for the people of Kombun.
“A few days ago you made donations for security, business and education of our people and we were rejoicing.
“Today we are mourning and you are here and we are grateful and want to assure you that we have left everything to God,” he said.
The Ardo of Kulben, Alhaji Isa Umaru, who was also in the palace, prayed God to expose the perpetrators of the heinous crime.
Umaru assured of his support in any way possible in the promotion of peace and peaceful coexistence in the area.
The Councilor, Kombun Council Ward of Mangu Local Government, Panel Vwar, complained about the inadequate number of security personnel at Kombun.
” I want to appeal that more security personnel should be deployed so that we can have sufficient manpower in the security system.
“I also wish to plead that the government should find a way to support those who have given themselves for the protection of communities like the VGN.
“They should not just be recognised as voluntary organisations but they should be legalised as an auxiliary security agency,” Vwar said.