On Monday, community leaders in Bokkos Local Government Area, Plateau State, in collaboration with the Plateau Initiative for Development and Advancement of the Natives and Community Peace Observers, urged the federal government to increase security by deploying additional troops to the troubled local government areas in the state.
The appeal was issued after the gunfire that ravaged several communities on Christmas Eve, resulting in the loss of property valued at millions of naira and the deaths of more than 150 individuals.
In addition, the assaults resulted in the displacement of more than 10,000 individuals, who are presently seeking sanctuary in various locations.
On Monday, the community leaders issued the appeal in separate interviews in Jos.
Nanle Gujor, Secretary General of the Plateau Initiative for Development and Advancement of the Natives, stated that the appeal was crucial not only to prevent a recurrence of the abhorrent incident but also to ensure that the displaced individuals have sufficient protection to return to their ancestral lands.
Gutor stated, "We are presently facing a challenging circumstance. We are completely dissatisfied with the current state of affairs. The existing security measures implemented in the communities are severely deficient. As previously stated, the government is aware of the severity of these assaults; however, they dispatch an insufficient number of security personnel to contain the situation.
Kefas Mallai, chairman of the Community Peace Observers in Bokkos LGA, further advocated for increased government deployment of security personnel to the LGAs, stating that despite the assurances made by security officers, numerous residents have yet to witness their fulfillment.
“The people, particularly the displaced, remain immobile and are unable to return to the communities that were targets of the attacks.” Even within the confines of Bokkos town, security personnel are uncommon, and it typically takes over an hour for another set to pass by when they do. That is to say, the quantity could be much higher. “Therefore, the government ought to heed the cries of the people and permanently resolve this issue,” Mallai stated.
Additionally, the state government of Plateau has requested the addition of security personnel to the region.
Musa Ashoms, the state commissioner for information, stated, "Until the issue is resolved, we will continue to demand an increase in the number of security personnel and soldiers stationed in the state. The government remains resolute in its determination to eliminate the security challenges that currently plague Plateau.