The Plateau State Branch of the Nigerian Medical Association has expressed sadness over continuous attacks on unarmed communities in the state. In a statement jointly signed by Dr Innocent Emmanuel and Dr Bapiga’an William Audu, State Chairman and Secretary respectively, the association informed journalists that their members were “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”.
Adding that “…innocent, armless, accommodating 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”. The statement stressed that “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”.
The association maintained that the “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”.
According to the statement “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”. The association wondered how long the unfortunate development will continue without tangible and workable solutions?
Stressing that “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 statement went further to state that ” 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”.
According to the statement “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 NMA called on government to ensure that the equality of all citizens before the law is upheld at all times for all shades of Nigerians. Stressing that no one must be placed or perceived to be placed above the law.
Any society that abhors justice is only opening her doors to anarchy and lawlessness.
The NMA also called on security agencies to 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.
Pointing out that the people must not see security agents as having taken a side on these matters. The NMA urged that 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.
The NMA equally called on her members to avail themselves to cater for the sick and injured during these trying times,calling on security agents to provide necessary security cover to enable doctors and other health professionals to discharge their duties efficiently.
Nigeria Star News 