By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has called for swift action against killings and kidnappings in Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency of Plateau State.
The House also urged the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa to establish two military bases in Kanam, Gun-Gagdi and Garga axis respectively in the Federal Constituency.
The lawmakers also urged on the Inspector-General of Police and Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to deploy additional personnel to the affected areas in Gun-Gagdi, Garga, Pankshin and Kanke.
The House further want the Director, Department of State Security to conduct a security operation in the area to flush out bandits and Boko Haram members.
This was sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance by Rep. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi on Wednesday at plenary.
Debating the motion, Rep. Gagdi who is also the Chairman House Committee on Navy, noted that there are several documented incidents of deliberate threats, kidnapping and assaults targeting members of Panskshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency of Plateau State.
He recalled that an APC Publicity Secretary, Sylvanus Namang was shot in the head at Pankshin Local Government Area of Plateau State and he died as a result of the injury sustained from the attack.
The lawmaker therefore lamented that the lifeless body of one of a former member of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon. Sunday Muchen, whom we they served together was found in Bokkos forest in Plateau State.
He expressed sadness over the kidnapping of a priest and alleged involvement of the financial secretary of the church and other members in that act as well as the abduction of lecturers of the University of Education Pankshin, amongst others.
The Chairman House Committee on Navy further expressed concern that Kanam’s forest has now become a safe haven for bandits and Boko Haram terrorists as a result of influx from other states that are affected by banditry and Boko Haram activities.
“Also Concerned that attacks in the forest of Panskshin/Kanke/Kanam and kidnappings of local farmers have been going on unabated.
“Worried that the members of these communities are highly vulnerable due to inadequacy of Police, Civil Defence and other security personnel in these areas.
“Disturbed that reports of diverse acts of violence have been made with such frequency that a failure to address them portend serious danger,” he argued.
The House adopted the motion,
observed a minute silence to honour the souls of the slain APC Spokesperson, former Plateau lawmaker and all the departed and condoled the families of the deceased.
The lawmakers urged the Federal Government to provide relief materials to the victims of various attacks who are in IDP camps and mandated the relevant Committees to ensure compliance.