Rep, NANS seek transfer of Plateau students from Northeast
3 min read
Jos, Plateau: Nigeria’s House of Reps Committee Chairman on Navy, Yusuf Gagdi says the recent execution of a 22-year old Christian student from Plateau State by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) is not only condemnable but “devilish.”
The “unfortunate” murder of the lawmaker’s constituent, Gagdi said occurred when he was exploring mechanisms for the release of another constituent, Bashir Abdulhamid, who was abducted by the terrorists on 4th December, 2019 at Gambu village near Maiduguri.
Late Ropvil Daciya Dalep executed in a released video
“These two unfortunate incidences involving my constituents within the span of one month has left me devastated, wondering if the efforts of the federal government in curbing the menace of terrorism in the country is yielding the desired results.
“Two other constituents of mine were also ambushed and killed along Maiduguri-Damaturu road by Boko Haram on 23rd December, 2019. They are Dauda Gojang Gaskiya of Kazuk village and Joseph Wutuk of Amper village, both in Kanke LGA,” he said.
The rising attacks particularly targeting Christians from Plateau State, Gagdi make citizens studying in the Northeast unsafe.
He said, “Since the insurgents have made it categorically clear that they are looking out for Christian citizens of Plateau State to kill, the last could not have been heard of such gruesome murder of our dear Plateau brothers and sisters.
“Only the living go to school, we cannot afford to continue to loose our loved ones in their prime to the nefarious activities of those daredevils.”
Consequently, the Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal constituency Rep is seeking the relocation of plateau citizens studying in the Northeast.
He said, “While I challenge the federal government to go beyond lip service to guarantee the safety of Nigerians anywhere within the country, I passionately appeal to the Executive Governor of Plateau State to, as a matter of urgency, set up a machinery in motion by considering the appointment of a delegation to visit the executive Governor of Borno State and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri to elicit a convincing plan of action by the government of the state and the school management, of guaranteeing the safety of Christian Plateau students studying in the state.
“Otherwise, I would strongly advocate that negotiations with JAMB, University of Jos and Plateau State University Bokkos as well as other institutions within the north central be held with the view to securing admission for them outside the northeast, where activities of the insurgents is most prevalent.”
His calls fall in line with the demands of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Northeast- North Central zone.
Addressing journalist in Jos on Friday, Secretary General of NANS zone C, Prince Godwin Bedir said, “We call on our Governor, Simon Lalong and our National Assembly members from Plateau Stare to come together as a matter of urgency to meet the Federal Government and the Government of Borno State to ensure that our students and all Nigerians are protected in their domain.
“We plead with the Government of Plateau State to enhance the admission of indigenes within the state tertiary institutions as a solution to the killings.
“We also plead with them to cry for justice for our slain brothers.
“They should tell the whole world there is a systematic conspiracy against our state and its people particularly Plateau Christians as stated in the video (of Mr. Ropvil Dalep’s execution) released by Boko Haram.
“If urgent steps are not put in place to check this inhuman act, we shall demand the possible transfer or relocation of our students and indigenes of Plateau resident in the Northeast back home.”
