Former vice president of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has said the incessant killings and maiming of Nigerians across the country like the recent attack in Barkin Ladi and Bokkos local government areas of Plateau State calls for tougher action by the government in terms of prompt and proactive measures.
Reacting to the incident in Plateau State in a statement in Abuja on Sunday, the former vice president said such attacks can be stemmed only when the government shows utmost determination to eliminate the threats by expanding the security architecture in the country and fast-tracking the arrest and prosecution of those involved in such dastardly acts to serve as a deterrent.
The statement signed by his media adviser, Mr Paul Ibe, expressed concern about the frequency of the attacks on innocent people by outlaws, noting that under no circumstances should murderous criminal groups be allowed to take life without immediate consequences from the government.
Atiku said the rate at which innocent people are being massacred in Plateau, Kaduna, Zamfara and other areas plagued by insecurity is embarrassing, adding that, “Only prompt and decisive action by the government can halt this madness.”
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He observed that the calls for state police stem from the growing frustration with the government’s seeming helplessness to crush these outlaws.
“The spate of these attacks is also a sad testimonial to decadence in the judiciary because a situation where criminals are set free by the court without diligent trials is capable of dampening the morale of law enforcement officers and other security agencies,” he added.
Atiku warned that abandoning the people to their fate in the face of existential threats is not an option because protecting the lives and property of the citizens is a primary responsibility of governments anywhere in the world.
