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PIDA URGES GOVT TO RE- STRATEGIES SECURITY ARCHITECTURE TO
END ATTACKS IN PLATEAU
By Lovins Yakubu
24th March, 2018
The
Plateau Initiative for the Development and Advancement of the Natives (PIDA) has
called on government to re-strategies its security architecture with the view
to putting an end to incessant attacks by suspected Fulani Militia in Plateau
State.
PIDAN
is an umbrella organisation that coordinates the activities of autonomous communities’
development associations in Plateau. state.
In
a statement signed by its President, Dr Madaki J.K Aboi, the body expressed its
worry and sadness with the continued resurgence of incessant and serial attacks
of communities on the Plateau by suspected Militia.
The
statement said the resurgence of attacks was first noted on the eve of President Buhari’s visit to Plateau in Daffo in Bokkos LGA and continued against
the Irigwe in Bassa over the weeks and finally extended to Dong Kasa in Jos
North.
The
statement continued, “The Thursday March 22, 2018 night attack on Dong Kasa was
said to have left three youths dead and several others seriously injured. PIDAN
commiserates with the families of those who lost their beloved ones and pray
that the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace as well as wish the
injured fast recoveries. We however, note that the systematic and the
progressed destruction of ready-for harvest dry season farmlands in the
affected communities with grant concern. We are forced to ask that given the
current scenario” Is Plateau State under siege by the Herdsmen.
“While
we condemn these series of unprovoked attacks in its entirety, we call on
appropriate government agencies and security operatives to make concerted
efforts to put a stop to this wanton destruction of lives and property”.
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| Dr Madaki |
PIDA
also commended the steps taken so far by government to stern the attacks and
call on it to foot the medical bills of the injured and provide logistics
through SEMA to those who survived the attacks in the three communities of
Daffo, Irigwe and Dong Kasa to enable them reintegrate well and quickly.
Continuing, PIDA said, “we are aware that
Nigerians living on the Plateau are very religious and neither the Bible nor
the Qur’an equates the life of an animal with that of human being. We however,
find it difficult to understand why a Herdsman will kill a farmer or any person
under the pretext of cattle rustling. PIDAN wish to appeal to all the umbrella
organisations of the Fulani on the Plateau to ensure they educate their members
to respect the sanctity of life as enshrined in the holy books and seek legal
means of addressing cattle rustling instead of wanton killings of innocent
citizens.
“We
view the orchestrated attacks on communities with resultant destruction of
lives, houses and farmlands as a grand design to render the agrarian villagers
weak and dispossess them of their ancestral farmlands as has been the case in
Riyom and Barkin Ladi LGAs where some community settlements are now occupied by
the militia.
We
appeal for calm in the affected communities and call on them to be vigilant,
share relevant information within them and report appropriately any suspicious
movements of people, especially those suspected to be new in their respective
communities”.
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