The Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has condemned the killing of over 150 persons in some communities at Barkin Ladi, Mangu and Bokkos Council Areas of Plateau State on Christmas Eve.
President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, made the condemnation in a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Dr Alex Ogbonnia, on Wednesday in Enugu.
Ohanaeze noted that it received with a rude shock the gruesome massacre of some persons in the two communities in Plateau State by gunmen.
In the statement, Iwuanyanwu explained that he was in his village in Imo State for the Christmas holidays when he received the news of the unfortunate incident.
The group described the gruesome killing, burning of houses, indiscriminate shootings and displacing of residents as an orchestrated act of genocide.
He regretted that in this modern age and civilization, the country was still posting the brutish, cruel and barbaric news of mass killings of such magnitude.
Iwuanyanwu bemoaned that the Federal Government had refused to heed the Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s call for Restructuring and State Policing System as a way of addressing the incessant losses of lives and property in the various states of the country.
The President General said it has become very obvious that the federal security architecture has proved very ineffective for the diverse demography.
He noted that such heinous and cowardly killings had continued because in the past the perpetrators of such savage acts often went unpunished.
“I therefore urge President Bola Tinubu to do everything possible to bring to book those behind the callous crime in Plateau State,” he said.
He then directed the Igbo leadership in Plateau State to extend all forms of solidarity with the immediate families of the deceased, the displaced and the sundry victims of the catastrophe.
“On behalf of all the sons and daughters of Igbo, we send our condolences to the governor of Plateau State, His Excellency, Caleb Mutfwang, the good people of Plateau State and the Middle Belt Forum led by Dr Bitrus Pogu.
“I pray the Almighty to grant the souls of the deceased a blissful repose in His bosom,” Iwuanyanwu said.
