Security
Israel Raises Concerns Over Rising Violence In Nigeria, Urges UN To Address Christian Killings In Plateau
The Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, has brought attention to the escalating violence in Nigeria with the killing of over 200 Christians in the North Central State of Plateau.
During a United Nations Security Council Meeting on January 12th, Erdan highlighted the recent massacre of 200 Christians in Plateau State, Nigeria.
Expressing his concerns, Erdan urged the UN to prioritize addressing the killings in Nigeria and not solely focus on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The Israeli representative emphasized the need for the UN to tackle various global conflicts, including the targeted killings of Christians by Muslims in Nigeria.
The Urgent Plea
In a compelling video shared on social media, Gilad Erdan passionately addressed the UN Security Council, shedding light on the tragedy that unfolded in Plateau State on Christmas Eve.
He solemnly stated, “On Christmas Eve, 200 Nigerian Christians were brutally murdered by Muslims in Plateau. And over the past decade, a staggering 50,000 Christians in Nigeria have lost their lives.”
Erdan questioned the Council, “Is this not a matter of utmost concern?” He criticized the lack of attention given to these atrocities, lamenting, “No Jews, no news.”
Erdan’s Social Media Post:
Accompanying the video, Erdan took to social media platform X to express his disappointment.
His post read, “No Jews, no news! What a disgrace. The Security Council convened for the 21st time to aid Gaza and pressure Israel.
“Meanwhile, Pakistan is expelling over a million Afghans, and in Nigeria, 50,000 Christians have been killed in the past decade. Yet, the Council has failed to address these crises. Why? Because if Israel cannot be bashed, the UN seems indifferent! Disgraceful!”
Growing Concerns in Plateau State:
While international attention has been primarily focused on the Israel-Hamas war, the situation in Plateau State, Nigeria, has reached a critical point.
Local communities in Plateau State have expressed their determination to resort to self-defense if the killings and destruction of property by armed bandits persist.
The continuous violence has instilled fear and uncertainty among the residents, leading them to take matters into their own hands to protect their lives and properties.
Gilad Erdan’s impassioned plea to the United Nations Security Council has shed light on the alarming situation in Plateau State, Nigeria. The killings of 200 Christians on Christmas Eve and the overall death toll of 50,000 Christians over the past decade demand urgent attention and action from the international community. It is crucial for the UN to prioritize addressing these atrocities and work towards finding a lasting solution to the violence in Nigeria. By doing so, the UN can fulfill its mission of ensuring global peace and security and prevent further loss of innocent lives.
The Plea for UN Intervention
Pundits say in light of the escalating violence and the mounting death toll in Nigeria, it is imperative for the United Nations to take immediate action.
“The UN Security Council must prioritize addressing the Christian killings in Plateau State and extend its support to Nigeria in combating this grave humanitarian crisis,” an analyst, Bala Yacham said.
He insisted that only by doing so the UN can demonstrate its commitment to upholding human rights, preventing religious persecution, and promoting peace and stability in the region.
No fewer than 26 people lost their lives, with three others sustaining injuries, following an improvised explosive device (IED) detonation along the Rann–Kala Balge–Gamboru Ngala highway in Borno.
According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, several civilian vehicles travelling from Rann in Kala Balge LGA ran into a series of hidden explosives.
Makama said the incident occurred on Monday after the convoy veered into a zone where the IEDs had been strategically placed.
The publication said the IEDs were triggered by the movement of vehicles, adding that emergency personnel were swiftly deployed to evacuate victims and administer first aid.
“Security forces have since cordoned off the affected route and commenced clearance operations to ensure safety and prevent a repeat of the incident,” the report said.
“Those injured have been transferred to nearby hospitals where they are currently receiving medical attention.”
Last week, Mohammed Badaru, minister of defence, said President Bola Tinubu is committed to addressing the growing security challenges in Borno state.
The minister spoke about the administration’s commitment to meeting all operational needs of the troops to enhance security in the region.
The Oodua Integrity Group, a Nigerian civil society organisation, has called on Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun to investigate and arrest an alleged gun runner, land grabber,popularly called then insert Lucky Blessings Abuah aka bullets of Achala Ibusa village operating in Asaba and Ibuzor, Delta State, accusing him of orchestrating criminal activities with the aid of rogue police officers.
Tosin Olaoluwa, the group’s South-South coordinator, made the appeal following intelligence gathered from concerned residents.
The suspect, identified as Achala Ibusa but popularly known as “Bullet,” is accused of running a network involving illegal arms trafficking, land grabbing, and cult-related activities.
Olaoluwa claimed Bullet operates with the protection of police officers from Rivers State, in violation of regulations prohibiting officers from working outside their command without approval.
According to the group, four AK-47 rifles were recently discovered hidden in a house in Ibuzor.
Two mobile police officers guarding the property reportedly distanced themselves from the find, raising suspicions of their involvement with Bullet, who is allegedly a leader of the Viking cult.
The Oodua Integrity Group further alleged that an assistant commissioner of police is complicit in Bullet’s activities.
The group highlighted that up to 10 mobile police officers are attached to Bullet, despite IGP Egbetokun’s recent directive to withdraw such personnel from individuals not legally entitled to their services.
“We urge the IGP to take immediate action to arrest the culprit in the interest of the general public,” Olaoluwa said, describing Bullet as a miscreant exploiting government security agents to perpetrate crimes.
In a separate incident, the group claimed that security agents from an agency in Abuja, acting on intelligence, were prevented from arresting Bullet by his police escorts.
The officers, reportedly from Rivers State, allegedly used tear gas and fired shots to obstruct the operation.
The Oodua Integrity Group warned that Bullet’s activities, including stockpiling AK-47s and other weapons in Asaba and Ibuzor, pose a significant threat to public safety.
They called for a thorough investigation into the allegations and the immediate apprehension of those involved.
The Nigeria Police Force has yet to respond to the allegations. Efforts to reach a spokesperson for comment were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
The Kaduna state Police Command has debunked reports of a bomb explosion in the Abakpa area of the metropolis, which reportedly killed two children.
The spokesman of the Command, Mansir Hassan, said in a statement that preliminary investigations conducted by the Anti-Bomb Squad indicate that a locally made firearm (Dane gun) was discharged, resulting in the unfortunate loss of life of the young boy.
According to the police, the incident, which occurred at about 8:30 am on Tuesday at Josawa Road in the Abakpa area, claimed the life of a 12-year-old boy, identified as Abubakar Muhammed of Josawa Road, while seven other individuals sustained varying degrees of injuries.
The statement stated that a combined team of policemen led by the Divisional Police Officer of Kawo Division and the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Chairman of Kaduna North Local Government, all visited the scene following a distress call, and a thorough on-site assessment was carried out.
Police disclosed that further investigations and assessments are ongoing to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Command equally assured the public that further developments will be promptly and transparently communicated.