A member representing Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency of Plateau state in the House Representatives, Hon. Dachung Bagos, has called on his constituents to defend themselves against the terrorists.
Bagos call for self-defence was made known in a statement issued Monday and may not be unconnected to the continued massacre of his people in the state.
He lamented that innocent citizens are being attacked and killed on a daily basis in Plateau State, particularly in Riyom, Barkin Ladi and Mangu; hundreds have lost their lives since May 2023, adding that villagers can no longer go to the farm.
The lawmaker decried that several displaced persons camps, land have been taken over, while farmlands have been destroyed.
He explained that on Saturday, 12 persons were killed in Mangu, while on Sunday night, seven of his constituents who are miners were targeted and gunned down; saying this barbaric act stands condemned.
Bagos said those killed in the attack to include Ishaya David from Tana; Paul Adamu Dangyuruk; Bitrus Mancha Dantou; Davou Boyi from Dawurum; Joseph John from Dawurum; and Timothy Peter from Dawurum, all in Turu, Jos South Area of the state.
The lawmaker said: “In the face of this kind of breakdown in the will and capacity of the government to protect the people and their communities, law-abiding citizens must organise to protect themselves.
“The point here is when the government failed in its constitutional role to protect its people; citizens have a legitimate duty in law and morality to ensure the continuity of human life.”
Buttressing his point, he said Section 14(2) (b) of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution stipulates that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.
He added that Section 17(2) (b) of the same constitution requires that “the sanctity of the human person shall be recognised” and to reinforce this, whereas Section 33(2) (a) makes self-defence lawful when undertaken in “defence of any person from unlawful violence or for the defence of property.
“I want to call on all Plateau citizens to be alert and defend themselves against attackers, and all Plateau State citizens must unite to defend the land. We are peaceful people, but our inheritance, which is our land, will never be taken by force.”