Doctors condemn Plateau massacre

Following the murder of Dalyop Datong, Chairman, Senate Committee on Health representing Plateau North Senatorial District and James Gyang, representing Barkin Ladi constituency of Plateau State, by fulani herdsmen at a mass burial during the weekend, doctors in the country have called for the immediate constitution of an independent panel of inquiry to investigate the incident. In a chat with BusinessDay, Osahon Enabulele, President, Nigerian Medical Association(NMA), said the medical body is in mourning over the death of Datong, who is a significant member of the Medical and Dental Elders Forum of NMA and a detribalised Nigerian.

Enabulele stated that the manner of the senator's death was a reminder of the nation's abysmal state of insecurity, social dislocation and depravity, brazen violation of the fundamental rights of existence of Nigerians, with the ultimate emergence of a ravenous appetite for class violence.

"We are charging governments at all levels to rededicate themselves to their constitutional responsibilities, especially as it concerns good governance, protection of lives and properties of their toiling constituents, and the creation of appropriate and adequate conditions for peace, security, and fundamental human rights and sacredness of all Nigerians," he said.

"This is imperative for a genuine redress of the rising state of insecurity, as well as incessant and mind boggling violence and mayhem unleashed on Nigerians on a daily basis."

Also reacting, Temiye Edimasan, President, NMA Lagos State Chapter, urged for the prosecution and punishment of anyone found culpable in the events that led to the deaths of about a 100 persons in the city.

"The NMA deeply condole the families of Gyang Datong and all Nigerians over the sad and tragic demise of these innocent and patriotic Nigerians murdered in the Jos senseless killings," he said. "All those found culpable of the heinous crime should be brought to quick justice."

It will be recalled that the news of the death promptly triggered a reprisal as the restive youths immediately blocked the Jos - Abuja road while vehicles quickly made a U-turn to avoid being victims.

The victims were mostly women, children and the aged who ran to the church for safety because of the Saturday morning attacks in neighbouring Barkin Ladi.

The attackers reportedly got wind of the presence of the victims in the church and surrounded the church and then set it ablaze with the victims trapped inside. The attackers were also said to have ensured that nobody escaped as they stood by to shoot anybody that tried to escape.

The police were said to have evacuated women and children and the aged from the villages for fear of another attack as the gunmen were said to be smarting for another round of attack.

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