By Nanji Nandang Venley
Residents of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, central Nigeria, have lamented continued attack on their community, leading to destruction of agricultural produce, as well as set back in the education sector.
33-year-old Arikwe John, a vegetable farmer, is among those who decry huge loss of farm produce due to the incessant attacks by unknown gunmen in her community.
“They kill farmers here, and destroy farm produce, we are even afraid to go to our farms again. This has overtime led to decrease in our agricultural produce,” she said.
Mrs. John also lamented height of insecurity, relating to the death of 10 people killed during an annual festival held ahead of the onset of the rains on 2 April, 2022, in Chando Zerreci village, of the L.G.A.
Speaking in the same vein, a student, Ategwi Peter, recounted how his school closed permanently in January after an attack in Ancha village.
“My brother and I have stopped going to school. They close our school because of insecurity” he said.
Recent attack
On Tuesday, 2 people were attacked, robbed of their motorcycles and killed in Ancha village of the LGA. A Member of the Plateau State House of Assembly was also attacked in the same area.
Commenting on the Tuesday incident, National Publicity Secretary of Irigwe Development Association (IDA), Davidson Malison, said the deceased were killed when they accompanied the House of Assembly Member on a “thank you tour” in the LGA.
While noting that a lot of people have been displaced, Malison said several people have been killed within the month of April 2022.
“We are vulnerable! schools have been closed down. There have been a massive destruction of farm crops and even harvested food brought home.” he said.
He said the community have registered its concerns to the appropriate authorities and demanded the immediate arrest of the perpetrators.
Police Spokesperson in Plateau State, ASP Ubah Gabriel confirmed the Tuesday incident, saying the command got a report that the Member Representing Jos North/ Bassa constituency in the Plateau State House of Assembly, Musa Agha, was ambushed in Miango village.
“We got a report that two persons were robbed of their motorcycle and shot. Immediately Policemen were drafted to the scene where the victims were rushed to the hospital and were confirmed dead by the Doctor. And we also got a report that the Member Representing Jos North/ Bassa was ambushed and his car screen shot and battered” he said.
The PPRO said investigation is ongoing and perpetrators will be brought to book.
In a reaction, People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Plateau State chapter, has condemned recent attacks in the LGA.
A statement by the State Publicity Secretary, John Akans, on Thursday in Jos, called on security agents to fish out perpetrators of the act.
“We are calling on the security agencies to do more of their best to defend the people from the marauders” it reads.
While sympathising with families of the deceased, and the Member, PDP urged Governor of the state, Simon Bako Lalong, to address the festering insecurity in the state.
“Indeed, insecurity has become a serious threat to our collective existence in the state and it is now evidently clear that insecurity will only stop when APC leaves office in 2023, because insecurity is becoming increasingly worser everyday under the watch of APC government” it added.
