Press Statement
The Nigeria Labour Congress is deeply saddened by the renewed violence in Barkin-Ladi and Riyom Local Governments of Plateau State and their environs leading to the killing of over 86 persons (as per police report) by suspected killer-herdsmen at the weekend.
We are disturbed by the range of targets, the duration of these attacks and the scope of casualties and destruction.
Even in a full scale war with another country, the statistics are numbing.
Therefore, for the umpteenth time we condemn these killings in their entirerity.
They are senseless and barbaric and threaten to shatter once and for all the bonds of brotherhood and peaceful co-existence.
Accordingly, our security, though stretched, must be seen to do more to restore the confidence of the civil populace. If the emerging allegations are true that the attacks went on unchecked for hours, then something needs to be done about the reaction time of our dedicated internal security operations in the state.
Beyond this, the Federal and Plateau State Governments in consultation with the parties to this bloody conflict should design a frame work for an enduring peace including taking pro-active measures.
The governments should quickly move to rebuild these communities and restore shattered lives as well as put an end to this anarchy.
In spite of the fact that emotions understandably run high at the moment, it is important to appreciate the fact that reprisal attacks cannot bring the much needed peace. Peace lies in dialogue and in squarely addressing the underlying causes of the problem.
Time to frankly talk to ourselves is now.
Comrade Ayuba Wabba, mni
President
