The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Yakubu Maikyau, has blamed the failure of intelligence for the Plateau killings.
This is as he condemned the December 24 attacks on villages in Plateau State by terrorists which claimed the lives of over 200 residents.
This was contained in the New Year message made available by the association’s National Publicity Secretary, Akorede Habeeb-Lawal, on Tuesday.
Maikyau said the incidents were “inexcusable and unacceptable” while adding that the also recent drone attack by the Nigerian military in Tudun Biri, Kaduna state, showed there was a gap in the security architecture of the country.
It was reported that on Sunday, December 3, an air strike intended for terrorists was sent by the military on Tudun Biri in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The bombing which was claimed to be accidental killed over 100 villagers during a Maulud celebration.
According to him, “From the information made available by the military and other security sources, the Tudun Biri incident is suggestive of the gap in our security architecture – lack of inter-agency synergy and coordination, while the attack in Plateau is indicative of poor intelligence gathering or, a deliberate failure to act despite the intelligence on the impending attacks on the villages, or notice of the attack on the villages by the bandits, as reported by community leaders.”
Maikyau said the government should be more responsive to security loopholes in the country and prioritise the safety of the lives and property of citizens at all times.
He said, “Government, through our Armed Forces and other security agencies, must ensure that no square inch of the Nigerian territory is left ungoverned; no part of Nigeria should be left under the control of criminal elements by whatever name so-called. Government must make deliberate investments in security, of such a scale and magnitude, which will leave Nigerians in no doubt as to the sincerity of the statement made by the President.
“The Federal Government must adopt a holistic approach to the issue of security while not overlooking the peculiarities of each region and design bespoke measures to deal with them. In this wise, the government must neither be “scared” nor “ashamed” to make the right investments in security, in line with global trends, without compromising our sovereignty.”
He further charged the government to adopt economic policies that will alleviate poverty and address the case of inequality and instability in the country, adding that the NBA will perform its duty of keeping the government accountable.
