The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has strongly condemned the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, for what it perceives as a lackadaisical and inadequate approach to addressing the ongoing violence in Plateau State. In a press statement issued on Saturday, HURIWA expressed deep concern over the recent escalation of violence, particularly the Christmas Eve attacks on over 20 communities in the Barkin-Ladi, Mangu, and Bokkos areas.

HURIWA criticized General Musa’s response, highlighting the deployment of a Special Fact-Finding Team, led by retired Major-General Augustine Agundu, to investigate the root causes of the attacks. While acknowledging the military’s commitment to restoring peace, HURIWA contended that the CDS’s approach falls short of the decisive action required to apprehend the sponsors and perpetrators of the heinous acts.

The civil rights advocacy group raised questions about the accountability and effectiveness of key security figures, including the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army, the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Commissioner of Police in Plateau state.

“Gunmen wreaked havoc as they brazenly attacked Ndun, Ngyong, Murfet, Makundary, Tamiso, Chiang, Tahore, Gawarba, Dares, Meyenga, Darwat, and Butura Kampani villages in the Barkin-Ladi, Mangu, and Bokkos areas of Plateau State. Residents were left defenceless, enduring continuous shootings and the burning of houses for over 48 hours during the onslaught.

“However, instead of employing intelligence to identify and apprehend the perpetrators swiftly, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, opted for a different approach. The decision to set up a Special Fact-Finding Team led by retired Major-General Augustine Agundu is rather a move politicizing terrorism.

“We deem the team’s visit to the Governor as an inadequate response to the gravity of the situation, focusing on preaching religious tolerance and peace rather than taking concrete actions to address the crisis.

“We strongly advocate for a more decisive and strategic approach by the CDS to unmask the culprits behind the Christmas Eve carnage in Plateau State. Sending a team to engage in diplomatic activities is inappropriate for the military. We call for a shift towards measures that actively contribute to ending the violence,” HURIWA stated.

HURIWA insisted that individuals responsible for the security lapses, including the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army, the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Commissioner of Police in Plateau state, should be subject to thorough investigations. HURIWA underscored the importance of accountability as a fundamental aspect of governance and urged the CDS to overhaul the current strategy to prevent future occurrences of such carnage.

In a scathing critique, HURIWA emphasized that if those entrusted with security responsibilities failed to act while terrorists unleashed havoc, they must be held accountable. The organization asserted that accountability forms the bedrock of effective governance and contended that General Christopher Musa must reassess and modify the military’s strategy to prevent further bloodshed in Plateau State.

HURIWA’s press statement also raised concerns about instances where soldiers have been implicated in criminal activities, citing incidents such as the arrest of soldiers transporting ransom money and the kidnapping of the Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Samuel Kanu-Uche.

“Several soldiers have faced accusations of involvement in kidnappings in recent incidents. Specifically, Lance Corporals Musa Maidabra and Edwin George, stationed at the 122D30 Regiment in Maiduguri, Borno State, were arrested for their alleged role in transporting the ransom paid for the release of Margaret Emefiele, the wife of the then Central Bank Governor, in 2016. The soldiers claim to have received N6.5 million each as their share of the N80 million ransom.

“In another case, the Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Samuel Kanu-Uche, shared his harrowing experience with kidnappers who attacked him in the Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State in Nigeria’s South-east in June 2022. The incident occurred while he was returning from a program with his chaplain, Abidemi Shittu, and the Church’s Owerri Bishop, Dennis Okechukwu.

“Despite the Nigeria Army’s denial of complicity in the kidnapping, Mr. Kanu-Uche insisted that soldiers manning a checkpoint close to the area cannot deny involvement. According to him, eyewitnesses observed an unidentified individual near the military checkpoint, and when questioned, the soldiers dismissed the person, claiming he had dropped something for them.

“The recent abduction of Aondo Ver, a director of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, further raises doubts about the military’s efficacy in safeguarding citizens. The incident, just 200 meters from a military post, underscores the need for a comprehensive and strategic overhaul of security measures.”

While questioning the CDS’s ability to purge the military of such elements, underscoring the urgency of addressing internal challenges to enhance the force’s credibility, HURIWA called on General Musa to reassess and reinforce the military’s strategy, urging a comprehensive investigation into the security forces and intelligence agencies to uncover any complicity in the Plateau State attacks.

The organization emphasized the critical role of accountability as a cornerstone of effective governance and insisted that the CDS take immediate and decisive actions to prevent future carnage in Plateau State. HURIWA urged a collaborative effort among security agencies, stakeholders, and the local community to restore lasting peace to Plateau State, ensuring the safety and well-being of its residents.

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