Buhari condemns Plateau attacks, two days after, as victims given mass burial

Nearly two days after gunmen, suspected to terrorists, massacred community dwellers in parts of Plateau State, President Muhammadu Buhari has now condemned the killings, as he described the incident as ‘heinous,’ saying ‘the perpetrators should not be allowed to escape justice.’

While State Governor, Simon Lalong was in Abuja, Sunday evening, at the invitation of Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, prelude to his Monday declaration to contest the 2023 presidential interest, gunmen laid siege to communities in Plateau State and helped themselves to a killing spree which left scores of people murdered.

BBC Hausa reports that the suspected terrorists killed at least 135 people in Plateau villages, on Sunday. A traditional ruler in one of the villages confirmed that they have already buried 54 in Kukawa, 34 in Gyambau, 16 in Shuwaka , 31 in 2 other villages.

Meanwhile, President Buhari, late Tuesday, described the killings as heinous, in a statement issued by the Presidency.

Buhari, who said the perpetrators should not be allowed to escape justice, also added that: “They should not be spared or forgiven.”

“He ordered law enforcement agencies to work strenuously with the government of the State, to bring the situation under control and take steps to bring the culprits to justice quickly.

“President Buhari expressed condolences over the terrorist incident, saying that as a matter of priority, peace must return at all costs to the State and the entire country,” read the Presidency statement.

“I urge all our citizens, the people of Plateau State in particular to expose the perpetrators of such incidents, their sponsors & those who encourage such criminals who carry out these dastardly acts of murder, so that the law will take its course. They must not be forgiven,” the Presidency quoted Buhari as saying.

The attacks occurred in some communities in the Kanam Local Government Area of the state, on Sunday.

In the attack in Plateau State, houses were also razed in such communities as Kukawa, Gyambawu, Dungur, Kyaram, Yelwa, Dadda, Wanka, Shuwaka, Gwammadaji, and Dadin Kowa.

“On Sunday, many motorcycles, each one carrying three bandits, stormed the communities. This incident happened when people were clearing their farms in preparation for raining season.

“Some people were going about their normal businesses when the bandits ran into the communities with heavy arms and started shooting sporadically.

“We are yet to know those behind such atrocities as well as how many people were killed because nobody can tell exactly the numbers of houses razed.

“36 persons were killed in Kukawa, 24 persons in Gyambau, eight persons in Kyaram, and 10 killed in Wanka, making it 78.

‘’The number of dead bodies in the bush is unknown and some persons are missing. Whether they were abducted or missing, we don’t know yet. Some injured persons are in the hospitals. As we speak, many people are displaced,” a resident who gave his name as Ibrahim, said.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Gabriel Uba, said the investigation was ongoing.

Meanwhile, reacting to the killings, Monday, Governor Simon Lalong ordered security forces to go after terrorists.

Lalong, in a statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Makut Macham, condemned the ‘irresponsible act,’ even as he vowed that ‘those behind it will be made to pay a heavy price.’

“Plateau State will never be used as a haven for terrorists to set up camps and use same to wreak havoc on communities and innocent citizens in the state and elsewhere.

‘’The state security council has adopted far-reaching measures to strengthen all security measures and enhance the capacity of the security agencies to respond to all situations that cause a breach of the peace in any part of the state,” the governor said.

He sympathized with the communities affected and promised them justice, saying those behind the attacks would not be allowed to go without punishment.

Meanwhile, victims of the incident were given mass burial Tuesday afternoon.