Ex-Abia gov, Kalu, tasks Jonathan to take action

FORMER governor of Abia State, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, on Monday, called on President Goodluck Jonathan to use the full powers of the president and protect Nigerians from the killings going on in the nation.

Kalu was responding to the recent killings in Jos, Plateau State, involving the chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Daylop Datong Gyang and the majority leader of Plateau State House of Assembly, Gyang Fulani
The former governor added that the primary duty of government was to protect the lives and properties of citizens, adding that the president could not afford to fail in his duty to protect the lives of Nigerians who voted massively for him.

Kalu, who spoke at a Federal High Court, Abuja, added that with the enormous powers vested in the office of the president, Jonathan could not give excuses by claiming to be helpless in tackling the growing insecurity in the country.

According to him, “things are going down in the country by the day and it is the duty of government to stand up and live to its expectations.

“Nigerians are being killed everyday and these are Nigerians, not Chadia-ns and the primary duty of government is to protect lives and properties of citizens and if that is being done, I don’t know.

“Considering the huge amount of money government has pumped into security, I don’t think it is justifiable, because I have not seen a commen-surating result. When we were there and all these type of mayhem came up, the former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and the governors put up so many strategies to stop it.

“I believe the president should stand up and deal with the situation. He is our president and he has the powers to deal with the situation. This should not continue.”

Northern govs call for calm

THE Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), on Monday, appealed to the people of Plateau State to exercise maximum restraint, following killings of Senator Gyang Dantong, Honourable Gyang Danfulani and several others in the latest attacks on villages in Barkin Ladi and Riyom local government areas of the state.

The chairman of the forum and Niger State governor, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, said the forum was pained by the barbaric act, especially that it came at a time the Federal Government was overhauling the security architecture in the country, to enable it to contain the excesses of various armed groups terrorising the nation.

In a statement signed and made available to the newsmen by his Chief Press Secretary, Danladi Ndayebo, in Minna, on Monday, urged families of the victims not to retaliate, saying that vengeance belonged to God.

The forum also urged security agencies to close ranks, so as to end the senseless killings of innocent Nigerians.

Benue speaker condemns killing

SPEAKER of Benue State House of Assembly, Honourable David Ioremba, on Monday, condemned the  killing of the chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Senator Gyang Dantong and the majority leader of the Plateau State assembly, Honourable Gyang Fulani, on Sunday.

Speaking with newsmen on Monday, the speaker lamented the state of insecurity in Plateau and other northern states, stating that the crisis in Plateau had reached a dangerous dimension which, he said, called for urgent attention.

Iorhemba regretted the loss of lives, while charging the Federal Government to buckle up and arrest the perennial crises rocking Plateau and some other states in the North.

According to him, “it is regrettable that the Federal Government has not been able to address the perennial crisis in Jos and other states in the North in recent times. My appeal is that the Federal Government should take decisive measures to nip the crises in the bud once and for all.”

The speaker said those behind the crisis should be apprehended immediately and brought to book, saying “Nigeria is larger than any individual. Those who said there will be no peace in the country should be arrested and put behind bar.”

Attacks, killing senseless, barbaric - NANS

THE National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has described the attacks and killing in Jos, Plateau State, of Senator Gyang Dantong, alongside a member of the state House of Assembly, Honourable Gyang Fulani, as senseless.

Its president, Dauda Mohammed, in statement in Abuja, on Monday, said killings were most condemnable in all ramification, “coming less than 48 hours that over 20 people were killed in that same part of the state.”

He said the student body viewed the re-occuring incidence in Jos as barbaric and demanded for an immediate end to it.

“It is so worrisome to see the unwarranted loss of innocent lives continue unabated. Now that it has taken this more dangerous dimension with today’s attack, we are demanding the Federal Government to take a drastic step in addressing the unending Plateau crisis, as we suggest the immediate implementation of the reports of various panels of inquiry that has probed the crisis, particularly the Chief Solomon Lar-led panel report.

“Finally, we are expressing our condolence to the immediate families of the victims of the callous attacks, the National Assembly and particularly the Plateau State government over this irreparable loss. We strongly condemn violence in any form. Peace is what we demand,” he said.

Uduaghan decries unwarranted murder

THE Delta State governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, has decried the unwarranted murder of innocent Nigerians in the recent attack on some communities in Barkin Ladi area of Plateau State, which resulted in the death of Senator Gyang Dantong; the majority leader of the state House of Assembly, Honourable Gyang Fulani and others. 

In a condolence message issued in Asaba, by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Sunny Ogefere, Governor Uduaghan said it was high time the mindless killing was stopped in the country.

“These attacks have degenerated to an intolerable level. It is unwarranted and wicked for people to just rise up and hack fellow Nigerians to death when we are not in a war.

“This is condemnable and not acceptable and we must all join hands with the Federal Government to stop it,” he stated.

Besides, he appealed to Nigerians to respect the sanctity of life and always channel their grievances to constituted authorities, through lawful means or approach the courts for redress.

The governor called on the Federal Government and security agencies to rise up to the challenge, to ensure the safety of the people and their property.

Plateau killing senseless - Abatemi-Usman

A member of the Senate, Senator Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman, has described the killing of over 100 Nigerians by unknown gunmen, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen in Plateau State, as barbaric, cruel, heinous and senseless. 

Senator Abatemi–Usman, the vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, noted that the renewed violence in Plateau State was not in the best interest of Nigeria, especially as it was coming at a time the Federal Government was making effort to tackle the security challenges facing  the country.

Abatemi-Usman, who represents Kogi Central senatorial district, said “it is high time we stopped this senseless and ruthless killing of innocent Nigerians. This bloodbath of helpless citizens of our dear country must stop.

“The weekend murder of over 100 Nigerians, including a senator and a member of Plateau State House of Assembly is the greatest height of heartlessness and callousness. I do not think there is any reason that could justify such act of brutal massacre of our fellow brothers and sisters.”

Abatemi-Usman described  the late Dantong as “a gentleman to the core, dedicated and committed lawmaker with great wealth of experience in legislative matters.”

Tambuwal condemns Maseh village killings

SPEAKER of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, on Sunday, condemned the killing of innocent people at Maseh village in Plateau.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Imam Imam, Tambuwal urged security agencies to rise to the challenge, by fishing out the perpetrators of the violence.

He said the incessant killings in the state and other parts of the country must stop.

Tambuwal described one of the victims, Senator Gyang Dantong, as a man of peace, whose death was regrettable.

He urged security agencies to provide adequate protection for citizens of the country at all times, adding that the National Assembly would continue to liaise with other arms of government and security agencies to find lasting solution to the spate of violence bedevilling the nation.

The speaker said criminal groups were hiding under different guises to cause mayhem in the country, urging Nigerians to remain resolute in the quest for lasting peace.

He said Nigeria was greater than any group, while expressing optimism that “this dark period in our history would soon become a thing of the past.”

Comments (3)

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DR
written by YAKUBU MAFULLUL, July 10, 2012

What we are witnessing on the Plateau and in other parts of northern Nigeria, ie the senseless murder en masse of defenceless citizens, is simply a reflection of a country that has now failed irretrievably. Sad!!

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Nigerians Condemn Killings in Plateau
written by Osaretin, July 10, 2012

Barbaric, cruel, heinous and senseless; You can call it what you like. Nigeria is already at war with boko haram supported and sponsored by Mohammadu Buhari and Atiku Abubakar and their groups, the earlier the Federal government knows this the better for the Country.

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Talk Talk Talk
written by I-BAPPA, July 10, 2012

Whenever national tragedy rear its ugly head every body comment and condemn government inaction and seemingly weakness of Jonathan, but Jonathan's maladministration would rather engage in rhetoric comic as a way of dosing off tension, while the macabre dance to perdition continue. Ebele Jonathan what has become the oath of office you took on your inauguration, for how long would you seat in the comfort of Aso Rock while thousands of innocent Nigerian are murdered on daily bases. Its time to act.

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