FG, Human Rights charged to probe killings in Wase

The Federal Government and the Human Rights Commission have been charged to as a matter of urgency investigate the role of the Nigerian Army and the Plateau state government in the unprecedented killings in Wase local government of Plateau State.

The umbrella Body of the Tarok Nation, “Ngwan Ishi Otarok, a community that has been under military attack since Saturday last week made this call Wednesday at a press conference in Jos, the Plateau state capital.

In a press statement jointly signed by its chairman and secretary, Lohbut Jangle and Zingfa D. Danbaki respectively and read by Barrister Joel Tahram, the association equally called for the immediate withdrawal of the soldiers from the civilian settlements into the Barracks to forestall a re-occurrence.

The association expressed disappointment with the state government and the Nigerian Army, saying, “In spite of the peace we were enjoying which led to the peaceful elections in our area they have found us worthy enemies to be exterminated.

“We do know very well that since the inception of the eight years reign of Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau state till date, there have continuous and almost daily attacks and killings around Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Jos south local government areas which have very close proximity to the headquarters of the 3rd Amoured Division of the Nigerian Army, yet no such military operation has been carried out with over 40 army vehicles involved or sent to bring about peace or flush out the militiamen in those areas.

“One of the unfortunate development in all these, is that Tarok Villages like Barkin Rijiya and Samiya which were not attacked on the 2nd and 3rd of May have now have several roofs of their Churches and houses vandalized and carted away.

“We are however, yet to ascertain the correct extend of damage as many corpses of people are still being discovered and recovered from bushes. Many people are still missing. Many suffered different degrees of injuries and are being attended to in various hospitals”.

It said large quantities of food stuff were looted, vehicles of sort also burnt down. “We however demand full and adequate compensation to be paid to the victims of these dastardly acts by the perpetrators,” the statement reads.