Northern Elders Forum Condemns Massacre in Plateau State, Demands Uncompromising Action

Strategic Insights -

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has strongly condemned the brutal massacre of 18 innocent Nigerian travelers in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, describing it as a chilling reflection of the country's deepening security crisis and failure of leadership. The group's spokesperson, Professor Abubakar Jika Jiddere, stated that the premeditated slaughter was not only a crime against humanity but also a stark indictment of the nation's inability to protect human life. The NEF has called for immediate action, including the arrest and prosecution of those responsible, accountability from the Plateau State Government, and a federal security overhaul to reclaim the North from bandits, terrorists, and killers.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) condemned the brutal massacre of 18 innocent Nigerian travelers in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, describing it as a reflection of the country's deepening security crisis and failure of leadership.
  • The group stated that the premeditated slaughter was a crime against humanity and a stark indictment of the nation's inability to protect human life.
  • The NEF demanded immediate action, including the arrest, public prosecution, and uncompromising punishment of those responsible for the massacre.
  • The group called for accountability from the Plateau State Government and demanded restitution to the victims' families and Ahmadu Bello University.
  • The NEF also demanded a federal security overhaul, including the massive deployment of trained security personnel and intelligence assets to violence-ridden regions across Northern Nigeria.
  • The group rejected "silence, tokenism, and bureaucratic lip service" in response to the tragedy, insisting that only uncompromising action could stem the tide of violence.
  • The NEF stated that the obligation to protect life and restore order is a constitutional imperative, and failure to act now is not just negligence but complicated.

Statistics:

  • At least 18 innocent Nigerian travelers were killed in the premeditated massacre.
  • Only 2 survivors were rescued by a local resident.
  • The NEF stated that the massacre was part of a larger narrative of unchecked violence in the North, with daily killings and kidnappings in the North West, North East, and North Central regions.

Sources:

  • Northern Elders Forum (NEF), "Statement on the Mangu Massacre in Plateau State" (No date of release mentioned)