The National Publicity Secretary of Irigwe Youth Movement (IYM), Comrade Joseph Yonkpa, has stated that 51 persons, mainly women and children, were killed by suspected Fulani militias in Zike Kimakpa community in Kwall District of Irigwe Chiefdom, Bassa Local Government Area of LEADERSHIP gathered that the operation lasted from 12am to 1.30am Sunday.
According to a statement he signed and issued to newsmen in Jos last night, many houses were burnt by the night marauders in the area.
Yonkpa also disclosed that over 30 people have been killed in the past month in separate attacks and ambushes, making a total of over 100 people from December 2024 to date with unquantifiable destruction of farm crops and properties.
He explained that as a people, all efforts to amplify their voice and let the world know about the ongoing genocide are on deaf ears.
He further said, “ These attacks are one too many, and the Irigwe people are deeply concerned if they are not citizens of Nigeria, as their attackers usually maim and destroy people with impunity and without arrests of those who perpetrated all these crimes.”
According to Yonkpa, they have never gotten this bad with the killings of these 51 persons in their land. “We are crying out for help from the government, non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations, and spirited individuals to not only condemn the situation but join us in demanding justice for all our slain brothers whose lives have been cut short by Fulani militias.”
“We demanded that the National Defense Headquarters set up an independent committee to look into all forms of genocide in Irigwe land, arrest the perpetrators, their sponsors, and accomplices, with the hope of giving our people the desired justice.”
IYM also calls on NEMA, PLASEMA, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, cooperating organisations, and spirited individuals to come to their aid, as houses, businesses, farms, and, in some cases, breadwinners have been affected by these renewed attacks on their land.
According to the statement, they will continue to seek justice for our people within the ambit of the law, and we pray that God rest the souls of our loved ones.
