HURIWA accuses security forces of compromise in Plateau

• Seeks liberalisation of AK- 47 ownership licence • Plateau killings: Death toll rises to 20

HUMAN Rights Writers Association of Nigeria ( HURIWA) has accused security forces in Plateau State of ‘ criminal collusion and compromise’ with the forces of terror in the state.

According to HURIWA, the killing of Plateau people was a well- planned genocide by sponsors of terrorists whom the Federal Government failed to arrest, prosecute and sanction under the counter- terrorism law of Nigeria.

Consequently, it called for the liberalisation of licences for Nigerians to own AK- 47s and other military- grade weapons like those wielded freely by terrorists as the fastest way to end the regime of terror in the country.

Meanwhile, the death toll of the Friday night mayhem at Bokkos, in which 13 persons were reportedly killed and many others injured, has risen to 20, as seven of the injured persons later gave up the ghost.

Coordinator of the rights group, Emmanuel Onwubiko, said the Plateau governor “works very hard within his jurisdiction” to contain the killings, but expressed consternation that the Nigerian Army had yet to dismiss the GOC 3 Division in Plateau together with all the heads of Department of State Services ( DSS) and police for allowing the constant slaughter of citizen s by sus - pected Fulani terrorists. He said: “Continuous failure of intelligence must have consequences unless Nigeria is a failed state. Otherwise, those responsible for security, who encourage insecurity by their gross inefficiency, should be dismissed from service to serve as deterrence.”

HURIWA recalled that Governor Caleb Mutfwang recently condemned the renewed deadly attacks that claimed many lives and property in the Kopnanle community in Mangu and Mandarshar vil-lages of Bokkos Local Council of the state.

No fewer than 13 persons were reportedly slaughtered in the area on the night of Friday, April 12, 2024.

Confirming the incident, in a statement, yesterday, the Chairman of Bokkos Cultural Development Council ( BCDC) Vanguard, Farmasum Fuddang, said under the cover of darkness, more than 50 armed Fulani terrorists” descended on the villages of Mandung- Mushu and Kopnanle, targeting innocent, unarmed and peaceful residents as they slept.