By Akinsuroju Olubunmi
Unmasking culprits behind plateau killings: Archbishop calls for action.
The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Martins, has called upon the Federal Government to identify those responsible for the recent spate of killings in Plateau State and other parts of Nigeria. Emphasizing the need for President Bola Tinubu to take decisive action against the perpetrators, Archbishop Martins believes that such measures will demonstrate a commitment to combating insecurity.
Expressing concern over the failure of security agencies to bring the culprits to justice, Martins warned that the continued lack of accountability might force people to take matters into their own hands for self-preservation.
The Archbishop’s plea comes in the wake of the Christmas eve attacks in three local government areas of Plateau State, sparking public outrage. President Bola Tinubu, condemning the attacks, has ordered a manhunt for the killers and assured Nigerians that justice will prevail.
In response to these developments, Archbishop Martins stated, “The heart of everyone with human feelings must bleed as we watched the corpses of innocent citizens lined up and buried in mass graves after being hacked down by heartless people who have been operating with impunity in many communities.”
He further expressed concern over the repetitive nature of official condemnations without tangible actions, asserting that the government needs to go beyond promises and ensure that those found guilty face the consequences of their actions.
Addressing claims that the killings were targeted at Christians, Martins remarked, “If the killings had happened in areas that are predominantly Christian in population and there are no efforts made to arrest the situation, as is the case today, people would feel entirely justified to come to such a conclusion.”
The Archbishop urged the government and security agencies to prove such assumptions wrong by taking thorough actions to bring the perpetrators and their sponsors to justice. He emphasized the responsibility of religious leaders to denounce such acts and work towards ending the mindless shedding of innocent blood.
As the call for justice echoes, the Archbishop emphasized the need for a long-lasting solution to the problem and urged religious groups and leaders to actively contribute to bringing an end to the atrocities, recognizing the severe consequences of religious discord.
Keyphrases: Plateau Killings, Archbishop’s Plea