A coalition of Fulani Groups and Indigenous Youth Ethnic Nationalities in Plateau State have lamented the killing of hundreds of their members as well as rustling of their cattle in the state.
The chairman of MACBAN in Plateau State, Mallam Muhammad Nura Adullahi, flanked by other Fulani group leaders who addressed newsmen in Jos alleged that the Fulani living in the state were being molested, maltreated and intimidated and in some cases, have their cow rustled.
Nura also said a total of 23,515 internally displaced persons (IDPs) are residing in camps, relatives’ homes and neighbouring states such as Bauchi, Kaduna, Nasarawa and Taraba.
In the same vein, the Coalition of Plateau Indigenous Youths Ethnic Nationalities said statistics has shown that 200 locals were killed in Bokkos alone, with 300 injured, 1,290 houses burnt, 81 vehicles burnt, while 19,995 persons are displaced and now taking refuge at the mini stadium in Bokkos LGA apart from those who had fled to relatives in other parts of the state and country.
The coalition in a communique signed by its chairman, Paul Dekete and Duwam Bosco, secretary respectively, further said they also observed that there is deliberate attempt by the Fulani militias to prevent victims from returning to their ancestral land/homes by looting their properties and food items.
The communique also noted that while displaced persons from various villages are taking refuge in Bokkos town, information at the coalition’s disposal indicates that some armed Fulani are being hosted at Maling (Angwan Hausawa) and called on security agents to search and disarm them, to avoid future attacks and killing of innocent citizens.
According to Mallam Nura: “it is on record that from August 29, 2023 to December 24, 2023 a total of 834 cattle were rustled in Kawel, Rom and Sat alone in Bokkos and their accomplices from Mangu LGA.”.
He added that “early last year attacking marauders started unleashing their dastardly acts on Fulani communities from Mangu LGA between 14th of April and 15th of July, the atrocities committed against the Fulani include the brutal killing of over 350 Fulanis and the burning down of over 115 villages to ashes, resulting in the destruction of all properties and food items. Inhabitants were killed or completely displaced, reducing the areas to mere plains.”
He further added that ” Household properties worth billions of naira were also lost during the carnage, the entire Fulani communities were entirely displaced from eight districts Mangu, Panyam, Pushit, Kerang, Bwoi, Kombun, Ampang and Mangum.”
According to him some of the villages where Fulani communities were displaced include Bwoi, Kombu, Sarfai, Rinago, Jukga, Kuwes, Kaangag, Farinkasa, Kerana, Lugga, Dimeza, Fungong, Gindirin, Gok, Bunghan, Gida, Milet, Rufwang, Dejwak, Lupo, Wushik and many others.
In his words: “The attacking Militia from Bokkos and Mangu wield sophisticated and heavy weaponry that is not typically associated with non-state actors.
“The coalition of Fulani Groups in Plateau State condemns the recent attacks that resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives and extensive destruction of property worth millions of naira in the villages of Bokkos, Barkin Ladi and Mangu Local government councils of the state.
“We condemn the ongoing killings and rustling of our cattle in the villages of Mangu, Bokkos and Barkin Ladi local government area,” he said.
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