April 23, (THEWILL)- Less than a week after gunmen, who invaded Chikam community in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, killed a 200-level computer science student of Plateau State University, another youth has allegedly been plucked down by a trigger-happy soldier identified as Godwin.
The deceased youth, identified as Mr Joseph Matindiong Jelmang, was allegedly killed on Monday, by a soldier identified as “Godwin”, who allegedly used his service weapon to fire random and sporadic shots while celebrating his birthday at a relaxation centre in Marish community, in Bokkos local government area.
Reacting to the gruesome murder, the Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC) Vanguard, while demanding justice for the deceased, condemned the desperate attempt to conceal the “crime by falsely labelling the innocent passerby and residents who tried to save his life by transporting him to the hospital as militants.”
However, the Commander of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), a special military task force maintaining peace in Plateau and the State Police Command, are yet to respond to inquiries on the incident at the time of filing the report.
But the BCDC Vanguard, in a joint statement signed on Tuesday, by its Chairman, Barr. Farmasum Fuddang; Secretary, Amb. Duwam Bosco and other members including, Machief Ayuba Mallo, Barr. Charles Amagong, Barr. John Apollos Maton, Barr. Nantok Dashuwar, Barr. Cornelius Makopson, Barr. Austin Kamshak, Barr. Daniel Malgit Agandu, Christopher Luka Tula, Masara Kim and Mabas Ayuba Isa, urged the Federal and Plateau State governments to bring the killer of Mr.Jelmang to justice.
Titled “BOKKOS YOUTHS CONDEMN RECENT UNPROVOKED MURDER OF PEACEFUL BOKKOS YOUTH BY TRIGGER-HAPPY SOLDIER’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION SHOOTING”, the statement read: “The Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC) Vanguard strongly condemns the heinous and senseless murder of Mr Joseph Matindiong Jelmang in Marish community, Bokkos local government area of Plateau state, on 22nd April 2024.
“The brutal act was perpetrated by a trigger-happy soldier identified as “Godwin” who allegedly used his service weapon to fire random and sporadic shots while celebrating his birthday at a relaxation centre is utterly detestably unacceptable and unjustifiable.
“We strongly condemn the perpetrators’ desperate attempt to conceal the crime by falsely labelling the innocent passerby and residents who tried to save his life by transporting him to the hospital as militants. This deceitful action has resulted in mass arrests and is an egregious affront to justice and humanity.
“We strongly condemn this growing display of impunity displayed by agencies and officers of the armed, security and intelligence agencies, especially those posted to Bokkos. This reiterates our earlier demands of having the government replace the military with agencies constitutionally and legally empowered to handle internal security.
“We demand the swift and decisive action of the military authorities and the state Attorney General in apprehending and prosecuting the perpetrator to the fullest extent of the law. We also demand the immediate release of all those arrested by soldiers in Marish before and on 22nd April 2024.
“Justice must prevail, and such barbaric acts must not go unpunished in our society.
“We anticipate a swift and decisive conclusion of this issue to serve as a warning to other soldiers and armed personnel.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of the deceased, and we stand in solidarity with the community in seeking justice for this tragic loss.”
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