Leaders of the opposition parties have demanded not just words but decisive actions to stem the tides of killings across the country, following last Sunday’s attacks in the Anguwan Rukuba neighbourhood, in the Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
In seperate messages, a former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; and two former governors, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano) and Mr. Peter Obi (Anambra), all members of the Action Democratic Congress, accused the government os not doing enough to prevent the serial attacks.
Obi, who was the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last general elections, wrote via his X handle: ‘It is unacceptable that these attacks happen with such frequency, and even more unacceptable that there seems to be no decisive, sustained strategy to end them. No nation or leader normalises tragedy.
‘The safety of Nigerian lives must become non-negotiable; we cannot continue to mourn what should have been prevented. Enough is enough’.
While condoling with the families of the victims, Obi said the attack in Plateau State ‘reminds us, yet again, of the insecurity innocent citizens face in our nation without any protection’.
Atiku, who was on the ballot for the Peoples Democratic Party as presidential candidate three years ago, re-echoed a similar sentiment, saying he is ‘outraged by the barbaric attack’.
He also wrote on X: ‘Despite endless pronouncements and so-called marching orders, insecurity remains the grim, daily reality of ordinary Nigerians who continue to bear the brunt of a failing system. It is long past the time for outrage without action.
‘The anger across the land must now compel urgent, decisive political will to confront and crush this menace. The continued slaughter of innocent citizens cannot become our new normal’.
Kwankwaso, the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party, said that the Plateau killing ‘represents the continuing failure of leadership and the deepening culture of impunity that has turned parts of our country into killing fields.
‘The recurring violence in Plateau State, and indeed across several parts of Nigeria, can no longer be treated as business as usual. It demands to be treated as the national emergency that it was declared to be by the Federal and State Governments.
‘Our people deserve the right to live in peace, security, and dignity, regardless of their ethnicity or faith’.
Sunday’s attack left 28 people dead and several others wounded.
The assailants opened fire at a bar-cum-restaurant in the Anguwan Rukuba neighbourhood.
The incident has sparked outrage among Nigerians and protests by angry residents of the area.
