Plateau State records first attack that engulfed two young persons at about 7:09pm of 10th January, 2021 at Nod area along Hoss-Rim road of Riyom LGA, Plateau State.
According to local source, the unsuspecting locals, namely, Mr. Jerry Bitrus aged 32, and Joseph Davou aged 28 went to check on Joseph’s wife who delivered a bouncing baby boy at Bachi District of Riyom LGA , and were going back to Kuru after community in Jos South LGA.
Responding to interview, Da Davou Dantyang, father of Joseph expressed his shock, that “my heart is sadden with the sudden demise of my son and his friend who came to check on his wife who gave birth, but couldn’t return to Kuru, where they based, all because they had confidence in security personnel of Operations Safe Haven that came on patrol from their Sector Headwaters at Hoss to Bachi. I cautioned them them not to go as night was fast approaching, but they insisted to go back as security agents on patrol will give them security cover to the main road, wherefrom they would on their own can proceed to Kuru…,” unfortunately, they were visited with untimely dead at their prime age.
On further findings, the Divisional Police Headquarters of Riyom LGA confirmed the tragic incident, adding that some used shells of ammunitions have been recovered from the scene, as well as the motorcycle of the deceased whereas their corpses were evacuated to Vom Christian Hospital, from where they would be further taken to Jos University Teaching Hospital-JUTH for autopsy examination before burial which has been slated for 12th January, 2021. The Police reiterated its commitment to continue the ongoing preliminary investigation so as to unravel the perpetrators of the dastardly act, provided there will be cooperation from appropriate concerned bodies including native communities that have relevant information that will aid their thorough investigation obligatory by law.
The legislative Member representing Riyom at Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon. Timothy Dantong couldn’t hide his pains over the sad development meted out on innocent persons that had shown their confidence on security personnel deployed to guarantee protection of lives and properties, but met their unceremonious exit which calls for investigation to be conducted on all persons including the Operation Safe Haven on patrol so that no one would be left unquestioned, since no one is above the law.
If the people’s suspicions above raised are proven to be factually true, it would undeniably be a build up on previous allegations of security agents’ deep complicities in aiding the orchestrated killings of innocent natives. For instance, the invasion of Tanjol and Tarai hamlets of Jol Community on 2nd October, 2018 during which 12 people were gruesomely murdered while many others sustained varying degree of injuries with valuables including a Church auditorium, houses razed down by fire. Similarly, the unlawful arrest of 17 youth of Kwi Community 3 of whom were later murdered by security agents in 2019 are just a few out of many other incidences that pointed at unprofessional conduct exhibited by authority deployed for safety of all persons irrespective of ethno-religious affiliations or whatsoever consideration.
In view of the above, all security outfits are hereby enjoined to collaboratively synergize in investigating the barbaric incident so as to identify, fish out and duly prosecute those behind the heart-aching development with view of ascertaining justice in order to get rid of bad eggs that aim at sabotaging the good efforts of patriotic security agents who have sacrificed, and are still sacrificing unquantifiably for corporate existence of this geographical entity called Nigeria. In the same vein, all local vigilante groups and also native communities are passionately urged to intensify vigilance as “security is everyone’s business” at this critical moment of high insecurity pervasively witnessed across the country.
By:
Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, Esq.
Emancipation Centre for Crisis victims in Nigeria-ECCVN