By Newsie Events Media:
The Bra Ngwe Irigwe, Rt Rev Ronku Aka who is the paramount ruler of Irigwe ethnic nationality in Plateau State has disclosed that during the recent invasion of Bassa Local Government Area by suspected Fulani herdsmen, the soldiers deployed to the area were watching as his people were massacred by the invaders.
According to the monarch, the soldiers said they could not do to defend the helpless victims because there was no order given to them to defend and protect the villagers.
This disclosure by Aka, according to Sunday Punch report was made when the President of the Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, Rev Gideon Para-Mallam, led other officials of the non-governmental organisation on a sympathy visit to his palace in Miango.
Earlier on Friday, the group had taken relief materials to internally displaced persons. The traditional ruler noted with dismay that it was obvious that state governors and local government chairpersons in the country were helpless in curbing insecurity despite being called chief security officers of their respective areas.
Aku said, “I don’t blame the local government chairman in Bassa or the governor of the state over the calamity that has befallen my people.
“At peace meetings, the governor will give order but the security men will go and do a different thing.
“During the recent attacks in my communities, the soldiers and other security operatives were around. As the invaders were carrying out the attacks in Jebu Miango and advancing to other communities we expected them to confront the invaders and stop the destruction going on but that did not happen.
“When I enquired what was happening, some soldiers cried to me that they did not receive the order to repel the attackers on the communities.
“Some of them who expressed frustration over the situation wondered the essence of holding guns which they could not use and left the scene while the attackers continued with their destruction in the communities.
“If the security agents were deployed and allowed to do their job, may be, the attackers would not have succeeded with their evil plans and my people would not be suffering what they are experiencing at the moment.
“But we don’t want more deaths in the communities. I have told my people not to retaliate what was done to them but we need justice going forward.”
Some gunmen last week invaded over 10 communities in the local government area, killing over 40 people and burning over 400 houses.
NEWSIE EVENTS MEDIA TEAM Follow Us On Twitter: @NewsieEvents, Instagram: newsieevents, Facebook: Newsie Events (Subscribe to our YouTube Page: Newsie Eventsng.