The Northern Senators Forum has strongly condemned the gruesome killing of innocent passengers in Plateau State, describing the attack as a “barbaric and cowardly act” that threatens the unity of Nigeria.
The incident occurred last Friday when unidentified assailants ambushed an 18-seater bus conveying travellers from the Basawa community in Zaria, Kaduna State, to Qua’an Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The attack reportedly took place in the troubled Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau, a region that has witnessed intermittent violence in recent months.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Chairman of the forum, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua extended the forum’s condolences to the victims’ families over the killings.
“On behalf of the Forum, I extend our deepest condolences to the government and people of Kaduna State, particularly the bereaved families affected by this heinous attack,” Yar’Adua said.
He described the killings as a direct assault on the fundamental rights of Nigerians to live and move freely within the country, as guaranteed by Section 41 of the Constitution.
“This kind of mindless violence is unacceptable in any civilised society.
”It undermines our collective values and threatens the fabric of our national unity,” he said.
The senators called on the Nigeria Police Force to bolster its intelligence-gathering capacity to forestall such attacks and to ensure the perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice.
They also urged the Federal Government to provide modern communication tools to security agencies to enhance their crime-prevention efforts.
In a bid to de-escalate tensions, the forum also appealed to communities in the affected areas to remain calm and resist any urge to carry out reprisal attacks.
“We also urge the Plateau State Government to intensify efforts at fostering peaceful coexistence among the diverse ethnic and religious communities in the state,” the statement added.
Reaffirming their commitment to justice, Yar’Adua emphasised the forum’s readiness to work with security and government agencies to prevent further bloodshed.
“Our thoughts are with the victims’ families. We pray Almighty Allah grants the deceased eternal rest and Jannah,” Yar’Adua concluded.
