THE mindless massacre of about 100 people in Maseh, Plateau State, and the subsequent killing, last week, of a Senator of the Federal Republic, Gyang Dantong and Majority Leader of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Gyang James Fulani among others underscore the heightening regime of fear and terror in the state. It is an unfortunate development propelled by years of political, ethnic, religious and now terrorist crises. Even more dastardly is the fact that the victims were mourning their loved ones earlier killed when they were attacked.The assault is callous and highly reprehensible. It is another affront on, and an indictment of the country's security. Why it has been impossible to flush out the marauders, suspected to be mercenary Fulani herdsmen from neighbouring countries remains a daunting question. The culprits are believed to be camped in the hills and mountains of Riyom and Barkin Ladi Local Council areas from where they launched coordinated, deadly raids on unsuspecting villagers. The incident, from indications, bears the marks of politics, ethnicity and religion.The regular acts of criminality in Plateau are worrisome, portraying failure of state and leaders at all levels to act appropriately. The Federal Government should employ drastic and urgent measures before the debacle degenerates further. President Goodluck Jonathan is clearly embattled with the wave of insecurity and violence across the country. But he has the constitutional responsibility to protect citizens in all parts of the country, and he should simply live up to his oath. The country can do without the killings in Plateau and other troubled regions.In view of seeming helplessness of security agencies, the House of Representatives' resolution that the president should grant more powers and resources to Governor Jonah Jang to take full charge of the situation to contain insurgents is logical. The recurring incidents in Plateau have visited long suffering on the people, besides the negative impact on the country's international image.Plateau's insecurity debacle is complex. Politically, some see it as fallout of territorial expansionist bid by some groups considered as settlers against the resistance of others who claim to be indigenes.The religious perspective cannot be totally divorced from this, based on claims of prominent natives, including legislators that the attacks are a continuation of the jihad aimed at islamising the region. In-between is allegation of ethnic cleansing. Governor Jang has added a terrorism dimension to it, which should not be wished away.Jang said in a broadcast: 'The latest attacks further bring to the fore the inescapable reality of what we have persistently alerted the nation and the world to, namely terrorism, holding the state under siege.'It is lamentable that Plateau, once one of the most peaceful areas of the country, is now a soft ground for terrorist activities. The only choice before the government is to curtail the spread of terror and fear across the state. Government should not turn a blind eye to claims that foreign terrorist groups are moving into the country to pursue their bigger agenda of creating confusion and anarchy across a belt in the middle of the continent of Africa, using the instability in the Sahel region. The suspected incursion into the country should be closely watched.Plateau's security challenge is however not beyond redemption, if only the government and the various political and religious leaders come up with a solution for the sake of the people they claim to serve. Problems have always been solved by dialogue and engagement, which so far are not fully exploited. Part of the lingering crises is the non-implementation of reports of investigation panels earlier set up by previous administrations at both the federal and state levels. For instance, the reports of the Prince Bola Ajibola (former Justice Minister and Attorney-General) Commission of Inquiry and the Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Abisoye (rtd.) panel of inquiry on the incessant ethnic and religious conflicts in the state are still gathering dust in shelves.The country cannot continue to pay lip service to law and order. Intelligence gathering network should be upgraded. It would appear also that the Special Task Force in the state has either been compromised or has otherwise lost the trust of the Plateau people who are consequently calling for a review of their operations to yield more positive results. Government may need to consider these appeals, and also address alleged inadequacy of working tools.A regional security conference of stakeholders should be called with focus on peace and harmonious relationship. There seems to be a gap in leadership at the national and operational levels of security that must be filled. The authorities can also consider organising local forces under a single commander to brief the president regularly (as the Commander-in-Chief), even on a day-to-day basis. Government should review the laws on terrorism and also the economic aspects of terrorism. The military may also consider providing health and other services to communities, among other measures.Plateau (and other troubled states) must be rescued from the clutches of terrorists. Above all, for Nigeria to survive requires the patriotic input of leaders and the people alike.
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