Hezekiah Panye
The Plateau Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) Forum has embarked on a fact-finding and assessment visit to communities affected by the recent herders attacks in some local government areas of the state.
The CSOs Forum had last week Friday held a World Press Conference condemning what they described as senseless killings of innocent citizens of the affected villagers and make it a duty to visit the affected communities to get the true situation report on ground.
During the visit, the CSOs discovered scanty security presence, and said the communities are at risk of another attack.
Speaking to the affected communities, leader of the forum, Rev. Christopher Damcher commiserated with them and prayed for God’s intervention at their trying moment.
In their separate presentations, Bokkos LGA Community Development Associations Chairman, Mr. Philip Julson and the leaders of Mbar, Tangur, Butura and Bokkos communities who were affected, said the Christmas attack was purely a genocide with the aim of land grabbing.
The community leaders said they have had series of peace meetings with the Fulani leaders but the Fulani will always breach the peace agreement,
IDPs Committee Chairman, Bishop Dr. Ayuba Matawal said over 15,000 people are displaced in 13 IDPs camps apart from those that found shelter through their relatives. He appealed that the immediate need for the displaced persons are food, medication, clothing, cleaning and sanitary items.
Informations gathered revealed that the Christmas Eve attacks affected 49 communities in 8 districts, with over 200 people killed, 98 injured, 1,300 houses and property worth millions of naira destroyed in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi local government areas.
The affected communities demanded for justice by arresting and prosecuting the Fulanis who engaged in the evil act and enactment of the land grabbing policy.
They called for the apprehension and questioning of one Baba Saleh, the Chairman Gan Allah Islamic sect, Plateau central for his inflammatory statements.