As Nigeria celebrates her independence day, the International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, and the National Orientation Agency, NOA, have called for an end to the killings in Plateau.
In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria, on Monday in Jos, the organisations expressed optimism that mutual respect would foster unity and forestall further killings in Plateau and other parts of the country.
Mary Izam, the Chairperson of FIDA in Plateau said that Nigeria at 58 worth being celebrated but could only progress if Nigerians learned to live in peace and harmony.
“Nigerians should refuse using religious and ethnic diversity to destabilise the nation; we want a new Nigeria where improving the quality of lives of the people is our major priority.
“We condemn the killings of innocent lives in the recent attacks in Plateau and other parts of the country, as every life is sacred and valuable in this country,” she said.
The FIDA official also commended the security agencies for their tireless efforts in this critical period of the country, and called for more synergy between them and community leaders in addressing security matters.
Mrs Izam also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure the release of Leah Sharibu, the only girl still in captivity out of the 110 Dapchi girls abducted in February, saying she has a right to liberty as a citizen of the country.
Also while speaking with NAN, Bulus Dabit, the NOA director in Plateau said that the drivers of crisis in Plateau and other parts of the country were not religious people but persons with criminal intents.
“It is unfortunate how these miscreants easily mobilise the religiously inclined and responsible citizens to perpetrate their agenda in order to undermine our collective security.
“Community leaders and indeed responsible youths must break their silence by exposing all those who are undermining our humanity to usher a new Nigeria today,” he said.
He condemned the act of deploying the social media to entrench fear through fake news and hate speeches.
NAN
