The Plateau chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the State Government to adopt more stringent security measures to stop the killings in the state.
The Chairman of the party, Chief Damishi Sango, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Jos.
NAN reports that in October, several villages of Iregwe land in Bassa Local Government Area of the state faced attacks in which many lives were lost, others severely injured and properties worth millions of Naira destroyed.
NAN also reports that local marketers were on Tuesday ambushed by gunmen at Rim-Diyan village of Riyom Local Government Area where eleven persons were killed and four injured.
Sango, who described the incessant killings as “one too many”, urged the government “to wake up from its slumber” and ensure total security of lives and property in the state.
“It is unfortunate we are experiencing these ugly trends at a time we all thought peace has returned to the state.
“What happened in Barkin Ladi, Miango in Bassa, and just three days back in Riyom shows that the assailants are within; it shows that Plateau is under siege.
“So, government must wake from its slumber and be more proactive in safeguarding the lives and property of its citizens.
“The whole essence of government revolves around security of lives and property, so government has to go extra mile to ensure its people are safe,” he said.
He further urged the government to support the security agencies in whatever form to stem the continuous attacks that had been claiming innocent lives.
The chairman also charged the security agencies to fish out the perpetrators and make them to face the full wrath of the law.
However, Mr Dan Majang, the Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Gov. Simon Lalong, urged the PDP not to politicise the insecurity that had bedeviled the state in recent times.
Majang said security issues were a collective responsibility, hence, both government and the people had a big role to play in dealing with them.
“As a Government, we are not happy that people are being killed on the Plateau.
“Government is aware of the fact that it has the responsibility to safeguard the lives and property of our citizens, but we all have a role to play as critical stakeholders.
“We shouldn’t politicise security issues. Was PDP immuned from security challenges when it was in power?
“So, instead of apportioning blames, all hands should be on deck so as to nip in the bud this ugly trend, ” the Governor’s Aide said. (NAN)