Following the killings in Plateau and Benue states, leaders of socio-political organisations in southern and middle-belt zones of the country have reechoed the need for the creation of state police to end the incessant killings.

The organisations which gathered under the auspices of the Southern and Middle-Belt Leaders Forum also called on Nigerians to defend themselves and their territories against terrorism.

This was contained in a statement jointly issued on Friday by the leaders of the group – Oba Oladipo Olaitan (Afenifere), Dr Bitrus Pogu (Middle Belt Forum), Senator John Azuta-Mbata (Ohanaeze Ndigbo World-Wide), and Ambassador Godknows Igali (PANDEF).

“The statement read, “The planned, coordinated and unrelenting genocidal massacre by suspected Fulani militias in various communities across Nigeria, particularly Plateau and Benue states, have pushed all patriotic and well-meaning Nigerians beyond the threshold of mourning for decisive action by people of different nationalities and groups.

“The latest cold-blooded murder of not less than 50 innocent citizens of Irigwe ethnicity in Zike and Kakpa villages in Kwall District, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State last Sunday following similar killings of over 80 innocent lives in Bokkos Local Government Area few days earlier now leave the people with no choice than to take their destinies in their own hands severally and jointly.

“The only crime of our people is being Nigerians on their ancestral land and its rich resources, where they live peacefully. In every community attacked, the Fulani militias not only destroy, but also settle on the lands often without resistance from the security forces deployed to protect citizens.

“All the Federal Government does is to condone these modern-day  territorial conquests while the land owners are packed in camps of Internally Displaced Persons as rescued slaves with no hopes of returning home.”

The groups lamented that all proposals to the Federal Government on restructuring, implementation of true federalism, state police in the country had been rebuffed by the government, saying such had given the terrorists boldness to continue the dastardly act.

“It is undeniable that the Nigerian state has surrendered its sovereignty and territory to the wanton violation by an ethnic nationality which members are acclaimed to have no respect for the territorial boundary and integrity of modern nation states.

“The Nigerian security forces once respected even in international peace-keeping and enforcement operations have been over-stretched by multiple engagements in several fronts across the country.

 “All proposals and resolutions by well-meaning Nigerians which have even enjoyed national consensus for security of lives and property, including end to open grazing, establishment of state police, restructuring and true federalism have been rejected by the Federal Government,” the statement read.