ECOWAS Asks Tinubu-Led Nigerian Government To Ensure Justice For Victims Of Plateau State Killings
Adedokun Waliyu 
It was reported on Tuesday that gunmen invaded 15 communities in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Council areas of the state, killed scores of defenceless residents mostly women, children and elderly.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has described the massacre of defenceless residents of Plateau State on Christmas Eve as callousness and disregard to sanctity human life.
The 15-member African regional body, called on Nigerian government to ensure that all the perpetrators were brought to justice.
It was reported on Tuesday that gunmen invaded 15 communities in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Council areas of the state, killed scores of defenceless residents mostly women, children and elderly.
At the last count the death toll has reached over 200 with several others injured still battling to survive.
The police authorities in the state later confirmed the attacks, adding that no fewer than 86 persons had been killed with 221 houses completely burnt down during the attack by the gunmen.
There have been several reactions across the world, with the United Nations demanding to the Nigerian government to ensure accountability and bring the attacks no matter who they are to justice.
However, in its reaction to the gruesome killing in a statement on Saturday, ECOWAS urged the President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government to bring the perpetrators to justice.
According to ECOWAS, the killing demonstrated the “callousness, insensitivity and total disregard of the sanctity of human life on part of the perpetrators of the heinous act.
“The Commission further expresses profound condolences to the bereaved, wishes a speedy recovery to the injured, and conveys its heartfelt sympathies to the Government and People of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The ECOWAS Commission calls on the Government to intensify ongoing efforts to identify and bring the perpetrators of this terrorist act to justice.”
While the regional body reassured the government and citizens of Nigeria of its support, it pledged to promote the ongoing efforts towards promoting peaceful co-existence.
ECOWAS added that it was committed to ridding the region of the scourge of terrorism, violent extremism, and banditry.
