PDP Calls for International Criminal Court Probe Killings in Plateau

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed its condemnation of the ruthless killing of over 160 innocent Nigerians by terrorists in the coordinated attacks that took place on Christmas Eve across 20 communities in Plateau State.

The party also urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to initiate an independent investigation to reveal the sponsors and perpetrators of this genocide.

The party described as heartbreaking the distressing report of how defenseless Nigerians were brutally murdered and over 10,000 others displaced by terrorists in the Bokkos and Barkin Ladi areas of Plateau State, in unrestrained attacks that lasted until Monday morning.

According to the PDP’s national publicity secretary, Hon Debo Ologunagba, claimed that “the laidback and insensitive attitude of the President Bola Tinubu-led government”
had empowered terrorists and bandits, resulting in the deaths of at least 5,000 Nigerians since President Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023

“Our Party berates President Tinubu for always resorting to lame Presidential condemnation by his media aides without any corresponding definite steps to protect Nigerians and stop this constant carnage in our nation.

“President Tinubu has practically abdicated his Constitutional role as President and Commander-in-Chief which is principally to ensure the security of lives and property thus abandoning Nigerians to terrorists, bandits, and marauders.

“Nigerians will recall how President Tinubu in his nationwide broadcast of July 31, 2023, had no words of commitment for security despite the escalated killing of over 500 Nigerians and many more abducted in Plateau, Benue, Niger, Kaduna, and other States of the federation at that time.

“Even with the disturbing information that no fewer than 5,060 Nigerians were killed, with 2,263 others abducted since May 2023 as contained in the 2023 Nigeria Security Report by Beacon Consulting, which was also reported in the Wednesday, 13th December 2023 edition of the Punch Newspapers, the Tinubu-led APC administration remain largely nonchalant and silent

“There are apprehensions that what is happening in Plateau State is a Genocide and the Tinubu-led APC administration must be held responsible for the mindless killing under its watch; having failed in its Constitutional role as provided in Section 14 (2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) which states that”security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government”.

However, the PDP reiterated its call for an immediate legislative public inquiry into the killings and criticized the APC government’s unsatisfactory handling of insecurity in the country.

It also urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to initiate an independent investigation to uncover the sponsors and perpetrators behind this act of genocide.

“In this regard, special attention must be paid to prominent former and current leaders of the APC who have at various times been alleged to overtly encouraged, promoted, incited, and endorsed acts of terrorism and Genocide.

“This is especially against the backdrop of reports that over 63,000 Nigerians have been murdered by terrorists and bandits in the eight and half years of the Buhari/Tinubu APC-led government.

“While saluting the courage of patriotic security personnel who remain unwavering in securing our nation despite the challenges, our Party deeply commiserates with the families of the victims of these mindless killings enabled by the APC in Plateau State and other parts of the country, and prays to God to bring succor to the wounded and the displaced.”

The party also urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other pertinent government agencies to enhance their efforts and offer necessary support to those injured and displaced in the attacks.

Kanyi Daily recalls that Governor Godwin Obaseki had dismissed any speculation of discord with his deputy, Hon Philip Shaibu, affirming his support for Shaibu’s gubernatorial ambition if he emerges as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate.