The massacre of around 150 people from certain communities in Barkin Ladi, Mangu, and Bokkos Council Areas of Plateau State has been condemned as a “orchestrated act of genocide” by the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
The group said it was shocked by the terrible massacre of several people in two Plateau State communities by gunmen.
Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, delivered the censure in a statement published by Dr Alex Ogbonnia, National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, on Wednesday in Enugu.
Iwuanyanwu stated that he received the terrible news while on holiday in his village in Imo State.
The massacre, burning of houses, indiscriminate shootings, and eviction of communities were termed as a premeditated act of genocide by the Igbo leader.
He questioned why, in this sophisticated era and civilization, Nigeria was still sharing the heinous, terrible, and barbaric news of such mass killings.
The President General bemoaned the Federal Government’s failure to respond to the Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s request for Restructuring and State Policing System as a remedy for the country’s ongoing loss of lives and property in the various states.
According to him, it has become abundantly clear that the federal security architecture has proven to be woefully inadequate for the various demographics.
The Igbo leader said that such heinous and despicable killings have perpetuated because perpetrators of such atrocious deeds had previously gone 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 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.