-IGP says owners of tinted cars can be arrested for terrorism
AS the government and Special Task Force (STF) in charge of security in Plateau State are trying to restore normalcy to the trouble areas, another set of twenty people were killed in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State on Thursday by some people suspected to be mercenary Fulani herdsmen while the council authority has also accused the STF of complicity in its operation and molestation of innocent women.
Majority Leader, Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon Daniel Dem, representing Riyom Constituency who confirmed the killing said seven were killed in Ataka village and another thirteen in Dajak village in the early hours of Thursday.
According to him, the invasion by herdsmen suspected to be mercenaries lasted till the afternoon of Thursday especially in Dajak village without the presence of the security agencies adding that the situation was further worsened by the terrain of the village situated on a hill.
Hon. Dem appealed to the federal government to come to the aid of the people of his constituency and as well investigate the operations of men of the Special Task Force deployed to the area to maintain law and order.
The state government, through its Commissioner of Information, Mr. Abraham Yiljap has also called on the Defence Headquarters to investigate allegations of complicity of men of the Special Task Force in the killings in some parts of the state.
According to him, based on the hue and cry of the people and myriad of complaint trailing the operations of the Special Task Force, there is the need for proper investigation adding that the constant attack on innocent souls by the marauders has become a source of worry to the people despite the presence of the security agencies in all the affected community.
Addressing newsmen early in Jos on Thursday, the Caretaker Chairman of Riyom local government area of the state, Engr. Sam Gyang who accused the STF of fueling the hostility and molesting innocent women said allegation by the STF that women recently attacked STF in the area was false and misleading adding that it was men of the STF led by Sector 9 Commander that assaulted innocent women who were preparing to celebrate mothers’ day.
He said a total of ten women received various degrees of injuries by the STF men and treated at the Christian Hospital, Vom including a three month old baby backed by her mother.
The Council chairman said based on the huge allegation against men of the STF in the local government and other areas, the authority of the council is of the opinion that STF has overstayed its welcome arising from the unpatriotic activities of some of its personnel.
Meanwhile, a verterinary officer, Mr Andrew Kunka abducted by some gunmen in Wase local government area of Plateau State on Tuesday during a cummunal clash between the Tarok and the Fulani has been killed by his captors.
The verterinary Officer who was an employee of Wase Local Government area of the state was abducted while returning from where he had gone to vacinate some cows belonging to some fulani herdsmen when he was kidnapped by the rampaging fulani gunmen in the area.
The in-law of the deceased who is a member of Plateau State House of Assembly, Mr Timothy Golu, through out Wednesday maintained contact with the kidnappers and pleaded with them to spare the life of his in-law.
Golu, who confirmed the incident, expressed regret that Kunka was killed by the same people whose cows he had gone to vaccinate. He said that after killing him, they set his body ablaze and was only recogbnised by his identity card.
The remains of the deceased was dumped behind a hill in Wase, he was buried in Kanke local government area of the state on Thursday.
In another development, the Inspector General of Police has said that most of the cars used by terrorists have been linked to tinted glasses as nobody sees the evil perpetrators who carry out the deadly acts.
Consequent upon this development, The police IG, M.D. Abubakar, said this has the capacity not only to heighten criminal activities, but to place unnecessary pressure on security agencies and law abiding citizens.
The IGP reminded “Nigerians from all walks of life, including politicians, military and security personnel that the ban on unlawful and indiscriminate use of tinted glasses and legislations forbidding the plying of unregistered vehicles on our highways, are still very much in force.
The IGP has therefore directed all Zonal AIGs and state Command Commissioners of Police to arrest and bring to book, in line with extant laws, all defaulters.
According to him, Nigeria Police Force will no longer tolerate the habit of few misguided Nigerians who wantonly abuse the use of tinted glasses and unregistered/unlicensed vehicles, thereby complicating the challenge of effectively policing the country and equally endangering the lives and property of law abiding citizens.”
Courtesy: Nigerian Tribune