PLATEAU MASSACRE: Stefanos Foundation Makes Case For Mangu LGA, Other Communities

…. Says 29 Communities were attacked, over 8000 persons displaced and calls on humanitarian agencies and the general public to assist survivors

Oru Leonard

Following the continued communal attacks, killings and land grabbing in Plateau State in Nigeria, especially the recent incidents in Mangu Local Government and adjourning communities..

Addressing a press conference on Thursday at Abuja, the Advocate Manager of Stefanos Foundation, Barr Fatima Njoku recalled that, “the last time we met in this venue,we were with the leaders of the Irigwe people of Bassa LGA of Plateau state, today we have leaders of Mangu on similar issues of attacks on this is most unfortunate”

She disclosed that as at Monday, 29th May 2023, information received from the leaders in Mangu show that 5 districts were attacked and 29 communities recorded so far. She further said that currently 10 IDPs Camps housing 4,038 adults and 4,023 children, adding that the figure is not exhaustive as many more have found refuge with family and friends in surrounding areas.

“A situation where armless, defenseless people are attacked in the middle of the night, killed with guns and machetes, houses burnt down with their property looted and entire communities wholly displaced is unacceptable in any civilized clime. It is even worse when the attackers are un-apprehended let alone prosecuted”, Barr Fatima stressed

The Advocate Manager said killings of this nature has taken the same pattern across the country. According to her, “From eye witness reports and testimonies of direct victims across board, we can say that the attacks are carried out in literally the same style, attackers dressed in similar fashion and victims with similar profile.This has happened in Agatu, Guma, Logo in Benue State, Kagoro, Zangon, Kataf, Kajuru, Kafanchan in Southern Kaduna, Bassa, Riyom, Barkin Ladi and now Mangu in Plateau State, and the list goes on.

“From our records, Stefanos Foundation has recorded 217 instances of attacks from 34 States across the Federation between January and April 2023 alone; we know that this is a very conservative number as this does not show all the attacks. From these attacks,we recorded 1,872 number of persons dead, 714 abducted and 65 injured. We find this very alarming for a country that is not at War.

“It is therefore with great relief and renewed hope that we heard the President mention in his inaugural speech that security would be given toppriority.We choose to believe this and look forward to its translation to reality on ground beyond mere rhetoric.”

She said the new administration has come in at a time when security of lives and property which is the primary purpose of government, is at its worst in Nigeria’s history.

“We bring to the attention of the government that this is an area that calls for urgent action. We pray that God gives the needed wisdom to carry out this task.”, she noted

She also called on humanitarian agencies and the general public to visit the survivors and assist in every way possible as the people in camps are in dire need of food, medicine and clothes while the injured require drugs, surgery and payment of their medical bills.

Speaking, Chief Joseph Gwankat, the National President of Mwaghavul Development Association (MDA), Plateau State, lamented the  relationship between Mwaghvul and other tribes has been cordial but that in recent times Fulani herders has extended their nefarious act of killings, destruction of farms and land grabbing to his Local Government (Mangu LGA).

He noted that in some conflicts occurred between individual herder Fulani men and some individual farmers but we’re managed by community leaders. ” Never in history did we ever witness violent conflicts between communities as have witnessed in the last two months”, he stressed.

Chief Joseph disclosed that on Friday, April 15, 2023, some Fulani herders in the early hours of the day beat a Mwaghavul man to death in his farm, which sparked off crisis between Fulanis and Mwaghavul people who reacted to the killing. He said while interventions and meetings by stakeholders to keep both parties at peace but letters of pending attacks kept showing up on social media platform by the Fulanis without the intervention of Security agencies.”On 15th May, 2023, at about midnight, there was an invasion of our communities in Kubat, Fungal and neighbouring villages. These attacks continued the following day, Tuesday, May 16, 2023, spilling over to other Communities. By Wednesday May 17, 2923, the attack has spread to Kantoma, Mangul and other neighbouring villages, killing and burning houses”, he enumerated.

He said they lost 85 persons and were given mass burial as result of the attacks. He also revealed that the attacks were sustained because the Fulani attackers brought in mercenaries armed with sophisticated weapons to exterminate his people, even churches were not left out.

Chief Joseph said pockets of attacks are still going on in some villages with threats of pending major attacks from Fulanis and Communities are currently leaving in fear.

He therefore called for adequate government, security and humanitarian agencies like NEMA, SEMA presence as there are non presently.

He recommended amongst others that government should provide more security presence and establish special courts to dispense justice between conflicting communities which will always help in nipping some conflicts before escalation.

Hlso speaking, the Representative of Sho Development Association, Mr Pam Dung Pam who a gave similar gory story of suspected Fulani herdsmen killings in his communities noted that his village has suffered so many attacks which are mainly targeted at Christians.

He berated Security agencies for neglecting the affected communities and aiding the attackers in the guise of curfew.

“The hopes of our people were shattered, home vandalised with no hope of going back. Later the Government deployed few securities to look after a very large village, they will put a curfew on you and  the Fulanis are parading themselves from in bush and they carry the attacks from behind, these are the things happening to our people and later you won’t see the security men again.” he stated.

He pleaded with the new government to come to their aid as matter if urgency.

Photo Credit: Daily Post