Killings: Reps want increased security presence in Plateau, Ekiti

The House of Representatives on Tuesday, urged the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja; Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun and heads of other security agencies to deploy more men to troubled spots in Plateau and Ekiti to stem the tide of killings in the two states.

The resolution of the House followed the adoption of motions of urgent public importance sponsored by Ishaya Lalu and Akin Rotimi, members representing Bokkos/Mangu and Ikole/Oye Federal Constituencies of Plateau and Ekiti states respectively at the resumption of plenary on the floor of the House on Tuesday.

- Advertisement -

Citing Order 8 Rule 4 of the House, Lalu who is the Deputy Chairman, Committee on House Services recalled that on January 24, 2024, “There was another attack on the People of Mangu Local Government Areas of Plateau State killing more than 50 persons, others seriously injured, with over 1,000 houses and other properties worth billions of naira completely destroyed with about 20, 000 people displaced at different internally displaced persons camps within and outside the Local Government Area.”

- Advertisement -

Following the adoption of the motion, the House urged the CDS to establish a Civilian Joint Task Force in Plateau State even as it resolved to set up a committee to investigate the proximate cause of the incessant terrorist attacks in Mangu, Bokkos, Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas of Plateau State.

The House also mandated the Committees on Defence and Legislative Compliance “to ensure compliance and furnish the House with a weekly report until the insecurity is brought under control.”

Similarly, a weeping Rotimi leading the debate on “The need for security agencies to urgently stem the tide of criminality ravaging Ekiti State,” lamented the increasing spate of criminal activities in Ikole/Oye Federal Constituency, which he said led to the loss of lives and valuable properties.

READ ALSO: FULL LIST: CBN departments relocated to Lagos

According to him, the constituency is exposed to peculiar security challenges “Due to the nature of our forests and topography, and more painfully because Ekiti Federal roads are some of the most dilapidated in the entire country.”

Rotimi who doubled as the Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs recalled that on Monday, “These criminals carried out a dastardly attack in the Oke-Ako area in Ikole Local Government Area resulting in the death of two traditional rulers: the Onimojo of Imojo Ekiti, Oba Olatunji Olusola, and the Elesun of Esun Ekiti, Oba David Ogunsola and leaving a host of others with life-threatening injuries.”