PDP urges Tinubu to visit Plateau attack victims

In the Plateau State settlements of Bokkos and Barkin Ladi, gunmen killed Nigerians on Christmas Eve. The Peoples Democratic Party has called on President Bola Tinubu to visit the situation.

In the Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, it was revealed by Kefas Mallai, the Chairman of Community Peace Observers, that more than 150 people had been murdered by the terrorists.

Tinubu denounced the attacks and commanded a manhunt for the murderers in a statement released on Tuesday by his Special Advisor on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.

Tinubu gave Nigerians comfort, saying, “these envoys of death, pain, and sorrow will not escape justice,” while expressing condolences to the Plateau State government andpeople.

Speaking to the locals on Wednesday, Vice President Kashim Shettima and National Security Advisor Nuhu Ribadu gave assurances that President Tinubu’s administration would not back down until the victims of the attacks in the state’s Bokkos Local Government Area received justice.

In a statement released on Friday, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba responded by questioning the reasons behind the intelligence breakdown that occurred both prior to and during the planned murder.

As per the PDP, there is cause for further concern as Nigerians are also voicing concerns about these fears, citing the remarks ascribed to the former military Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, regarding the potential for government officials to be complicit in an uncontrolled insurgency or crisis, like the massacre in Plateau State.

In response, Tinubu was tasked by the opposition party to visit the impacted communities right away and personally address the country on the need to take decisive action to find the culprits and their backers.

The statement said, in part, “Mr. President’s silence in the face of the deliberate slaughter of his citizens without defence and support smacks of grave insensitivity and dereliction of duty.” In addition, by delaying his travel to the affected areas to show leadership, compassion, and a human connection, the President disregarded his expected duty as Consoler-in-Chief.

“President Tinubu should have as a matter of duty personally visited the scene of the genocide to give succour to the families of the dead and the wounded as well as reassure that his government is with the people of the affected communities in particular and Plateau State in general, instead of sending his aides to issue lame statements and organising surrogates to visit after much prodding.”