Nigeria: COPPPN condemns attack on Irigwe Community in Plateau

Nigeria: COPPPN condemns attack on Irigwe Community in Plateau.

A coalition of Plateau Peace Practitioners Network (COPPPN), has condemned the recent attack in the Irigwe Community of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State North Central Nigeria.

The indigenous peace-building group which described the development as not only barbaric and senseless but also uncivilized called on people sabotaging the peace efforts in Plateau State to give peace a chance.

Describing the act as not only sad but also retrogressive to the ongoing peace efforts by Governor Simon Lalong and the security agencies, the peace advocacy group appealed to security agencies to go all out to nab the perpetrators and make them face the full wrath of the law over their actions.

It commended security agencies over the swift response in curtailing the ugly development, adding that the prompt and professional handling of the situation quickly brought it under control.

The group National Coordinator, Dr. Daniel Babale Andruwus and National Secretary, Mrs. Lucy Nyami, respectively, expressed sympathy with the families of the victims, the government and people of Plateau State over the dastardly act.

It, however, said contrary to claims in some quarters that the attack was a genocide, its investigation showed that it was rather a reprisal attack.

Recall that Irigwe Development Community had in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Davidson Malison, in reaction to the attack not only claimed genocide but accused Operation Safe Haven, the internal military outfit in the state of connivance with headsmen alleged to be perpetrators.

But the Coalition of Plateau Peace Practitioners Network faulted the claim, saying besides being a reprisal, the attack was promptly responded to by OPSH.

“We write to condemn in the strongest terms the barbaric senseless and uncivilized attacks, and reprisal between suspected Fulani herdsmen and Irigwe militias groups in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, which led to the death of some persons and burning down of houses.

“This act is sad and retrogressive. Our hearts go to the families of those who lost their lives and properties in this unfortunate incident,” the statement said.

The group added:” We also wish to strongly commend the security agencies especially officers and men of operations safe OPSH for the selfless and professional conduct during and after this sad incident otherwise several deaths and more destruction of property would have been recorded.”

It further said:” This is the kind of prompt and unbiased response we need from security agencies that is entrusted with our security.

“Information available to us indicates that if not for the prompt response of men of Operation Safe Haven, the casualty figure of this needless attack and this reprisal attack would have been alarming.

“We call on the security agencies to immediately investigate and apprehend these criminals.

“We, however, wish to caution some individuals, organizations, tribal and religious bigots as well as some crises merchants who rather than speak the truth in times like this as the only way to douse tension and put this age-long crisis to rest would rather be criminalizing only one group of people as the aggressors, and blaming our security agencies for their own act.

“These sentimental and emotional acts will never promote peace and harmony because even God we claim to serve hates lies.”

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According to the group,” Rather than blame the security agencies for the obvious criminal acts of some of our very few indigenous youths, we should channel this energy to reforming this deviant youth who always hide under the umbrella of tribal groups and warriors to perpetrate criminal acts for their selfless interests.”

“As a professional group, we will not take side with any group or persons no matter the sentiments and emotions. We will continue to speak the whole truth so that peace can reign.

“We are not trying to hold brief for anyone but setting the records straight,” it added.

” Our community leaders from all sides must take responsibility of their youths and hand over the criminal to the security agencies otherwise we will continue to go round this cycle of violence and crisis,” it advised.

It noted that ” When these criminals strike, it’s the innocent women and children that suffer”, adding:” What happened in Bassa two days ago is a clear case of criminal attack and attendant reprisal from both warring groups”, warning that “this must stop.”

The coalition said, ” Instead of telling blatant and shameless lies against the security agencies and the government who did their best to contain these attacks, we should commend them while we speak to our criminal elements to stop taking laws into their hands.”

“We, therefore, appeal to our people to see the Army and all the security agencies as our national assets. We should desist from always trying to attach fault in their operations because of the tribal and religious inclinations of those deployed for operations,” the group said.

Nigeria: COPPPN condemns attack on Irigwe Community in Plateau