Lawyers condemn abduction of Plateau monarch

The United Mwaghavul Lawyers Association (UMLA) has described the abduction of the Sum Pyem, Da Charles Mato Dakat as an attack on the entire traditional institution in Plateau State.

They described it as “the beginning of a well-orchestrated plan to intimidate and decapitate our treasured leaders in the state and the Middle Belt at large”.

While condemning the dastardly act, on behalf of UMLA, Barr. Philemon Daffi reminded the federal, state and local governments of their shared responsibility under the 1999 Constitution as amended.

The group called on the three tiers of government to make frantic efforts in mobilising security operatives to urgently rescue the paramount ruler, whom the group says was under the weather before his abduction.

Recall that in the early hours of Sunday 26th December 2021, the Sum Pyem was abducted by yet to be identified gunmen.

He said, “The United Mwaghavul Lawyers Association (UMLA) is greatly saddened by the abduction of the Sum Pyem, Da Charles Mato Dakat in the early hours of Sunday 26th December 2022 by supposedly unknown gunmen.

“We are further scandalised that these criminals operated freely for an embarrassingly long period of time without resistance of any kind.

“This attack on the revered traditional ruler marks a watershed in the dark history of the planned agenda targeted at depriving our people of the God-given freedom we have enjoyed for centuries in our land of inheritance.

“We, therefore, condemn this dastardly act in the strongest terms possible.

“We consider this not just an attack on a person but on the entire traditional institution of the Plateau people.

“UMLA, therefore, would like to use this opportunity to remind the FGN, PLSG and Mangu LGC of their shared responsibility under the 1999 Constitution as amended to ensure the security to its citizens and their properties.

“It is incumbent on us to therefore call on the governments at all strata to step up efforts in mobilizing the security agencies to as a matter of urgency rescue the Sum Pyem who is reportedly not too well even before his wicked abduction.

“Beyond rhetorics, we are constrained to further call on the security agencies to marshall a plan for the protection of other traditional rulers”, UMLA stressed.

“We must caution that this may not be an isolated incident but the beginning of a well-orchestrated plan to intimidate and decapitate our treasured leaders in the state and the Middle Belt at large.”

The Group called on the people of Pyem Chiefdom and Mangu LGA to remain calm while praying and trusting God for release and safe return of the royal father.