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| Protesters in Government House Jos this afternoon |
BREAKING: LIVE AMMUNITION ON PEACEFUL PROTESTERS IN GOVT. HOUSE, JOS.
BY LOVINS YAKUBU
27th June, 2018
Information reaching us has it
that security operatives shot live bullets this afternoon on peaceful
protesters who were at the Plateau Sate Government House, little Rayfield, Jos
to express disenchantment on the incessant killings of Plateau natives, mostly
women and children by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
The peaceful protesters comprised
the women wing of Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN), Plateau State
Chapter and the Northern Zone Chapter of the Association.
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| Protesters at Govt House gate |
Speaking to African Drum, Mrs. Rhoda Godswill Tahota, the chairperson, CAN Leader,
Women Wing, Plateau State chapter said WOWICAN has the defence of the rights of
Christian women and children as one of its mandates, adding that they were at
the government house to see Governor Simon Lalong and express their grievances
over the killings of women and children in Plateau State by Fulani terrorists
with abandon recklessness while nothing is being done by the government to
address the ugly menace. According to her, “things seem to be getting worse
every passing day. The situation has escalated to such an alarming level that
we cannot keep silent anymore. Terrorists from foreign lands have invaded
Plateau State disguising themselves as Fulani herdsmen who kill, maim and
destroy lives with such impunity under the watchful eyes of security operatives
who are paid to protect lives.
“These blood thirsty killers kill
indiscriminately that even pregnant women are ripped opened and the babies in
wombs are removed and smashed like unwanted clay pots”.
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| Live Ammunition collected at the venue of the protest in Govt House Jos |
According to the women leader,
the killers carryout their dastardly acts mostly at night when people are
supposed to be asleep and set their homes on fire and whoever tries to escape
is matched like a rat or rabbit. She also expressed surprise that these
attackers have destroyed many villages and get away without any of them being
arrested despite the fact that they move in large number.
Tahota added that as soon as the
attackers drive away and destroy the homes of inhabitants of a particular
village, they quickly move into it and occupy the buildings and take over their
farmlands.
She said all these became
imperative for them to see Governor Lalong and tell him to take drastic action
to stop the incessant and senseless killings of men, women and children under
whatever pretext and to also stop the forceful occupation of homes and takeover
of farmlands of victims by the Fulani terrorists and order for the immediate
arrest of the Northern Zone Chairman of Miyetti Allah, Danladi Ciroma who has
claimed responsibility for the killings of over 200 people and property in
Barkin Ladi few days ago.
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| Mrs Tahota, CAN Women leader, Plateau state chapter |
The CAN Women Leader further said
that they also wanted to ask Lalong to give state burial to the victims of the
Barkin Ladi attacks.
Mrs. Tahota added that to her
greatest surprise, as they were approaching the government house, they were
informed that the governor left through another gate and did not delegate any
other person to receive them. “As a matter of fact, the government house gate
was locked up and we were left outside for more than one hour. We insisted we
must see the governor. When we pressed further, the gate was opened and as soon
as we entered, they started shooting using live ammunition”.
Tahota said that since Governor
Lalong has refused to see them, they have petitioned God and now waiting for
his judgment. She further asked rhetorically, “Why will Governor Lalong, who is
supposed to be our shepherd run away from us? You see, when the security
started shooting, we told them we are ready to die.”
Also speaking, Rev. Nenman Isa
Gowon, CAN chairman, Northern Zone said, Plateau State is a Christian. “However,
settlers have been killing the natives of Plateau State and nothing is being
done to address the ugly menace”, he said. Gowon added that Miyetti Allah, just
like in previous attacks and killings has also claimed responsibility and if
Governor Lalong does not do the needful, then he is an accomplice.
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| Rev Gowon, CAN Chairman Northern Zone |
When African Drum inquired from
a senior security personnel in Government house, (name withheld) why live ammunition were used on armed less protesters, he said it was not directed at
the protesters, rather, it was shot in the air to disperse the protesters when
the exercise was turning violent to the point that they started destroying and
vandalizing property in the government house.
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