Human Rights groups in Nigeria have joined in condemning the Christmas Eve terrorists’ attacks on communities in Plateau State, Nigeria, which led to the massacre of more than 160 innocent Nigerians and the displacement of about 10,000 persons.
The latest is the Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN), described the attacks as a “carnage, barbaric, and condemnable,” calling on the President Bola Tinubu-led federal government to fish out the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
This was contained in a press release issued by its Director and Secretary, Otuekong Franklyn Isong and Barr. Christopher Ekpo, respectively, on Wednesday, 27 December 2023, and made available to newsmen in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital.
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The human rights group queried the intelligence system of security agencies, amazed that the terrorists successfully carried out the attacks, which apparently lasted for several hours without the intervention of security agencies.
While consoling families and friends who lost their loved ones in the attacks, the group called on security agencies in the country to intensify efforts and utilise modern technology and measures to pre-empt and forestall future attacks.
‘‘Security agencies must advance from reaction to pre-emption.’’
It called on President Tinubu and the National Assembly “to institute a probe into the massacre in order to unravel the sources of funding and sponsors of the terrorists.”
‘‘The State and Federal Governments should provide adequate relief materials, including shelter to the affected persons,’’ it urged.
The civil society appealed to the National Assembly to immediately commence the process of amending the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to provide for the establishment of State Police to augment federal security agencies in combating security challenges and crimes within the territories of the respective States of the Federation.