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Former presidential adviser, Lumumba Adeh accuses governments over silence on Bassa killings

Former presidential aide, Lumumba Adeh


By Raymond Gukas, Jos

The devastated destruction of lives and properties in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State and seeming governments’ silence has been attributed to a grand “conspiracy at all levels of government to abandon the people to their fate,”

Between January 1 and April 1, 2020, no less than 40 persons have been killed and eight injured in 19 separate attacks on 15 communities in Irigwe Chiefdom of Bassa Local Government Area of the state.

Apart from those that lost their lives and those wounded, the communities are still reeling in pains over the loss of valuable property which include 15 farms, 330 houses and other items valued at millions of naira like cars, food barns, water pumps, and motor bikes among others as a result of these attacks.

These statistics on the attacks and casualties was contained in a press release by a one-time special adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo on legislative matter, Lumumba Dah Adeh.

Adeh, also a former federal lawmaker representing Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency wondered why the peace-loving people of Irigwe, “known for their hospitality and industry have however been treated differently.”

According to him, the recent killings and destruction of property was a continuation of the spate of attacks on the people of Irigwe chiefdom which started over the years as some of the villages affected by the recent attacks like Rikwe Chongu, Ancha and Nkiedonwro have been attacked repeatedly.

The former lawmaker added that “much as the people of Irigwe do not want to believe that they have been abandoned to their fate, they observe with sadness that when other people suffer losses in similar circumstances, the government always identifies with them by quickly condemning such acts, reassuring the people of its concern and taking actions to prevent reoccurrence.”

However, while these killings have continued, the people of Irigwe are constantly reminded that they are on their own and have no shoulders to lean on because even as the attacks persisted, there has been no strong committed response or action from either the local, state or federal governments.

Adeh further expressed displeasure on the silence of federal agencies like NEMA and others charged with the statutory functions of bringing succor to the people in such circumstances, which he stressed have been totally absent.

“Worse still, they are unable to go and cultivate their farms; and whenever they brave it and succeed in cultivating and nurturing the crops, the crops are destroyed at the nick of harvest”, which he described as worrisome.

According  to him, it was equally sad that the people of Hurra were murdered while obediently complying with the COVID-19 (fumigation) stay-at-home order by the governor, there has not been any serious commitment on the part of the state government.

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