THE STATE OF DETERIORATING SECURITY ON THE PLATEAU.
The Plateau State Branch of the Nigerian Medical Association is saddened and disillusioned by the persistent and vicious acts of inhumanity currently ravaging the society and exerting a great toll on the physical and psychological wellbeing of the masses across the state.
We express deep concern as the victims of these unwarranted attacks continue to populate our hospitals' emergency wards and mortuaries.
The innocent, armless, accomodating and committed citizens of Plateau State have continued to live under the perennial unsavoury reality of perpetual terrorism manifesting as kidnappings for ransom, rape, maimings and killings as well as threats of total annihilation. On a daily basis, people are kidnapped from their houses and living with the fear that same will happen the next day elsewhere or in their neighbourhood unabatedly, with huge sums paid as ransom. This worrisome and sad turn of events is severely bleeding the resources of the people and ultimately wrecking the economy of the state in general, resulting in further increase in the sufferings that have characterized the life of ordinary citizens who abinitio have mostly been living below ,at or only slightly above the poverty line.
People face the brazen reality of being attacked, injured and or murdered in cold blood while their homes, farmlands and means of livelihoods are completely destroyed with no end in sight to these hostilities.
For how long shall these continue without tangible and workable solutions? We ask; how long?
In the face of these mindless and grave atrocities, the Nigerian Medical Association on the Plateau wishes to call upon Government and the security agencies to live up to the minimum expectation on them to protect lives and property which is the primary responsibility of the Government as well as the security agencies.
The NMA frowns exceedingly at the unabating and wanton destruction, injury and killings which are one too many.The people deserve better from their leaders as every life is indeed sacred, and the right to life, a fundamental human right of every Nigerian citizen which should be guaranteed by the Government.
Both the United Nations Charter as well as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria recognize this inalienable right that all peoples possess with no bias to any human sentiment of tongue, creed, political leaning or field of endeavour.
We beseech that this right which is God given be respected by all at all times.
The Nigerian Medical Association calls for calm across the state and entreats citizens to remain law abiding and not to take the laws into their hands, but to only seek all available legal means to forestall any further escalation of the already grotesque and appalling situation.
We equally call on religious and political leaders to be mindful and sensitive of their comments especially in public domain which have the propensity to incite members of the public and enflame further, the embers of discord among the peace loving citizens of Plateau State and the country at large. Leaders must act as leaders both in private and public circles.
Government must ensure that the equality of all citizens before the law is upheld at all times for all shades of Nigerians. No one must be placed or percieved to be placed above the law.
A society that abhors justice is only opening her doors to anarchy and lawlessness.
Justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done for all sorts and shades of criminality because this is the only way that sustainable peace can actually be achieved.
The evil perpetrators of these heinous crimes cannot continue to remain "unknown gunmen" for close to two decades now.
The security agencies should as a matter of urgency, do more to restore the confidence of the exasperated public so that reliable intelligence is made available to them, which they should act swiftly upon.
The people must not see security agents as having taken a side on these matters.
The security agents must uphold their professional ethics; and assure all citizens of the safety of their lives, the lives of their loved ones and their property as well.
As a matter of fact, the ongoing severe brain drain of doctors exiting Nigeria in droves by the day to other climes is also attributable in part to the pervading insecurity across the land which has further eroded the confidence of these professionals in the ability of the Government to halt and reverse this ugly trend. Doctors just as other citizens are not assured of the willingness/commitment of the Government of the day to safeguard the lives of doctors, their families as well as their property.
We enjoin the security forces and Government to genuinely commit to doing more to prevent further incidences rather than taking reactive approaches on issues that a little more mindfulness, sincerity and commitment could nip in the bud.
The peace, security and prosperity of Plateau and our dear nation must be the guiding watchwords for all leaders irrespective of personal beliefs and inclination.
We particularly call also on members of the press to be more circumspect and balanced in their reportage of events; looking for means to unite the people to confront headlong, this hydra headed monster that has turned our dear state and nation into a large killing field, rather than seeking avenues to perpetrate propaganda of any sort that widens the already existent chasm amongst the different peoples that comprise our society.
Our diversity should be harnessed for the common good of all and not be an albatross to Nigeria's development.
In conclusion, The Nigerian Medical Association at this critical juncture, wishes to appreciate her members who take the risks with their lives on the line to go to work and attend to victims of these gruesome acts. We call on all our members to continue to answer the call of duty as our noble profession and our Creator demands of us.
Despite the challenges of the day, all members should up their readiness as the custodians of the health machinery to cater for all the sick and injured people of all backgrounds as they are brought into the clinics and hospitals.
Assuredly, these patients will be treated and rehabilitated as we bring them out of the physical and mental trauma resulting from these sad happenings across the State.
We also appreciate those security agents who have distinguished themselves by remaining truthfully and patriotically committed to ending terrorism in Nigeria, especially those that have paid the ultimate price with their lives in the course of duty, and commiserate with their loved ones over their demise.
We call on the security agents to collaborate with, and protect our members on their different routes to their various places of assignments, especially during the curfew hours.
May God take charge and heal our beautiful Plateau State.
God bless Nigeria!
Dr. Innocent Emmanuel,
Chairman.
Dr. Bapiga'an William Audu,
Secretary.
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