Mixed Reactions In Ile Ife Over Plateau Killings

By Sodiq Lawal

Thousands of Ife sons and daughters have joined other Nigerians to sympathise with people of Barkin Ladi area in Plateau State over the killings that took place over the weekend.

The Police in Plateau state confirmed 86 people dead in the violence that erupted the area.

As a result, reactions from Ife indigenes and residents has been gathering momentum in the ancient city.

According to an Ife based human right activist, Comrade Adedayo John, he condemned the attack and urged the security agencies to investigate and arrest those behind the Plateau killings.

He said, “the former governor of Benue state was arrested and killings stopped in the state. Dino Malaye was arrested in Kogi state and killings stopped there. Saraki was fingered as a sponsor of the killings in Kwara state and the killings stopped. There can be no peace until the strong politicians who are behind the killings in Plateau state are attested.”

Also, a member of Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) Ife Central branch, Mr Gbenga Lawal urged Nigerians to call a spade a spade and stop blaming President Muhammadu Buhari over the killings, saying that the Biroms should be blamed for launching a first attack on the Fulanis.

Speaking with our correspondent, he said,  “why is it that nobody wants to blame the Biroms for what they did to Fulanis at first?. People are just complaining on the revenge. Why can’t their traditional rulers and clerics tell them not to do it. Are the Fulanis not humans or not Nigerians?.

However, a member of Ife Action Council, Mr Nureni Adepegba, described the killings as tragic and most unfortunate.

“It is most disheartening that people are being killed daily because those who are saddled with the responsibility of safeguarding lives are careless about the well being and safety of the people.

He however urged President Buhari to tackle the issue by ensuring maximum security in the area and other parts of Nigeria.