Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District and former Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong has demanded for the creation of the North Central Development Commission to fast track the rebuilding of homes and economic activities of people of the region ravaged by terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements.
Lalong speaking on the floor of the Senate on the motion of urgent public importance moved by Senator Diket Plang (Plateau Central) on the Christmas eve attacks that left close to 200 people dead in Bokkos, Barkin Ladi and Mangu Local Government Areas of Plateau State, said unless the Government moves fast to stop the carnage and rebuild the lives and economy of the region, poverty and more insecurity will prevail.
According to him, those who were displaced in previous attacks have not been returned to their places because of the enormity of devastation wrecked on their lands.
This is even as some communities in Plateau, Benue, ad Nasarawa states have been occupied by some of the criminal elements who have displaced the rightful owners of the lands.
“I kept on hammering, just like we created the North East Development Commission and we are about creating the South East Development Commission, we must look at the creation of the North Central Development Commission to address the damage done to the region by various forms of insecurity. That is the only way out because a displaced person for 10 years will definitely be angry. There are people who have been displaced since 2001 and yet to return to their lands. We must do something to ensure they are resettled” he said.
This is even as he decried the response of the security agencies to the distress calls during the recent barbaric killings in Bokkos, Barkin Ladi and Mangu, describing as disappointing the excuse that terrain and distance was a hindrance.
The former Governor said Operation Rainbow which has operated in the State for a long time has troops stationed across the Local Governments Areas particularly those areas which are considered flashpoints.
He questioned the non use of operational assets such as drones, helicopters and even military formations such as the Airforce Search and Rescue centre in Kerang which did not do much even during the last attacks in villages of Mangu, not far from the base.
The former Labour and Employment Minister said the non-kinetic approach should be also be considered along with military operations whereby peacebuilding is encouraged and disputes are addressed before they get out of hand.
He recommended that the traditional institution should be given constitutional roles in the constitution because they play a major role in addressing issues within the local environment particularly where force or military action is not needed at the particular period.
Senator Lalong promised to re-present the bill on role of traditional rulers which he championed as Chairman Northern Governors Forum, but it failed to be passed by the last Senate.
While concurring with the summon of security Chiefs to address the Senate on the attacks, Senator Lalong thanked the Senate President Godswill Akpabio and his colleagues for their empathy and response to the condemnable attacks.
In a related development, statistics provided by Mr. Philip Sati Julson, National President, Butura Development Association and Chairman, Bokkos LGA Association of Chairmen of Community Development which was further collaborated by Hon. Monday Kassah, Transition Chairman of Bokkos LGA, which showed shocking data on the impacts of the charismas Eve attacks.
The following is a breakdown of people killed directly from the scenes of attacks in Districts: Butura – 32, one (1) person still missing. Mbar – 29, Mangor – 44 with 50 injured and three (3) people still missing. Mazat -10 (the same Ron people but located in Barkin Ladi LGA. Bokkos – 29, Tangur – 6, Mushere – 2. The total number of people massacred in cold blood so far on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are now about 160 and they are still counting. Internally Displaced People (IDPs) are estimated to be about 5,000. Eight Churches were burnt down: Baptist, Dares, CAC, Mbomg, COCIN, Maiyanga, COCIN, Ndun, COCIN, Tahore, CAC, Longhair, COCIN, Ngha-buk and COCIN Church Hurum. All Eight Pastorium were burnt down. Two Pastors: Baptist and Assemblies of God.
A further breakdown shows that 37 Women, 10 Children, 3 physically challenged persons were burnt in their homes as they were unable to run and 110 men were killed. A total of of 25 Villages were attacked in a well-coordinated military-style assault. The breakdown of the villages according to districts are as follow: Butura – 4, Mbar – 5, Tangur – 4, Bokkos – 6, Mushere – 1, Mangor – 4 and Mazat – 1. Total Vehicles cars and buses destroyed – 8, Motorcycles destroyed – 27 and 2 were stolen by the attackers. The total number of houses burnt is about (three hundred and one –301).
