Jos Killings: Christian Lawyers Accuse Lalong, Army Of Complacency



The Oasis Reporters
October 22, 2018
By Moses Gbande

The Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria, CLSFON, Jos Branch Chairman says her Association has taken exception to the state government’s complacency, silence and inactivity in the continual killings and other human rights abuses of citizens by the Nigerian Army in the state.
Barr. Panmak Mark Lere, President of the CLSFON at a news conference in Jos on Monday, has fingered extra judicial killings of innocent Nigerian citizens being perpetrated by the murderous groups, and desperate Nigerian Army personnel, the Joint Special Task Force, STF, codenamed Operation Safe Haven and the culpable silence of the Plateau state government.
He expressed dismay over the role of the Federal government in the face of these man’s inhumanity to man and against the citizens of the country they have sworn in oaths to protect.
He said in the preliminary investigations carried out by the team of lawyers over the recent killings in Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Bassa, Mangu, Jos South and other parts of Jos North where over a thousand souls and properties destroyed is mostly fingered to be perpetuated by suspected Fulani militia men.
“Sadly, in over 95% of of the attacks and killings perpetrated, the marauders have escaped without being apprehended. In the few instances where the attackers were arrested without being prosecuted conclusively, and government’s assurances of being on top of the situations by promising to protect the people have continued in persistent failure.
” The state government’s complacency, silence and inactivity about the whole Incidences, the role of security operatives , especially the Nigerian Army who have severally been copiously fingered as being complacent and biased. Unprofessional and culpable in fueling, escalating and partaking in the conflicts and attacks that have befallen communities.
He said they are not happy with the government and the Army and this press conference is to draw their attention to this fact, and if measures are not taken we would resort to other alternatives.
“The situation under mention is what you see in the heavy presence of the Army with less action, and it is high time the government should equip the Nigerian Police to brace up to their responsibilities, because the expectations of the populace from the Nigerian Army has faded out and the need for the Police to step in is apt”.
Adding that, Plateau State as well as the account of the events ranging from the attacks on Christian communities ,abuses of human rights and extrajudicial killings by the Nigeria army ,that took place based on eye witness accounts and reports of victims of the events is quite alarming.
According to him, their report is the result of informed, careful and wide range of investigations, contacts, interviews and enquiries from all the areas our sources were able to access given the security of their lives and the fact that it was put together almost immediately the conflict was starting.
He however added that “our sources include victims of varying degrees of violations and attacks, eye witnesses,community leaders and a wide range of persons in the society who have firsthand information on the events that occurred and which our investigations have confirmed.
Barr. Lere lamented that ,we call on the Federal and State governments as a matter of urgent attention to do their best in safeguarding the lives and properties of citizens in line with the mandate spelt out by the Constitution. Government must take proactive steps in order to ensure that the continuous spate of violence and needless waste of human lives is halted by arresting the criminal elements perpetrating the acts of violence and bringing them to face the full wrath of the law
“The Nigeria army in line with global practices should be humane, fair, unbiased and civil in its operations in line with democratic tenets by respecting the fundamental rights of citizens as guaranteed by the Constitution.”
He disclosed further that the Plateau state government should take steps to reach out to the innocent victims of this crisis and compensate them.




