The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a resolution asking the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu to declare a national emergency on the killings in Plateau state.
The house passed the resolution during the plenary session following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Dachung Bagos, a lawmaker representing Jos south/ north federal constituency of Plateau state.
There had been invasions and mass killings in communities in Plateau state since after the 2023 general elections.
Hundreds of people have been killed while thousands of others have been displaced following the destruction of their homes.
The Plateau state governor, Caleb Mutfwang, had on Friday, imposed a 24 hour curfew in Mangu LGA of the state following persistent attacks by bandits.
Moving the motion on the floor of the house, Bagos lamented “an increase in the rate of insecurity and killing of innocent souls”, including some communities within his constituency.
He said, “The attacks have been occurring in some parts of Plateau state for some months now with crops in farmlands completely destroyed”.
According to him, “Seven miners of my immediate constituency were gruesomely killed in cold blood on the 9th of July, 2023 around Farin Lamba of Jos South LGA, Plateau state.
“Most of my people live in fear of the unknown due to insecurity and can no longer access their farmlands with ease which is their main source of livelihood.”
The lawmaker, said if the insecurity situation is not addressed, citizens will experience food shortages as Plateau is one of the main producers of food crops in the country.
Following the adoption of the motion, the lawmakers asked Olukayode Egbetokun, acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), to investigate the killings and ensure that the culprits are made to face justice.
Bagos had on Monday asked people in his constituency to defend themselves against their attackers, as self defence is constitutional.
