Plateau Killings: Press Statement By Fulani An Attempt To Downplay Crimes Committed By Their Bandits - Coalition Of Ethnic Associations

By: Joseph A. Adudu, January 11, 2024

Barr. Solomon Mwantiri (M) reading a text of briefing at the NUJ press centre Jos on Thursday

The recent press briefing held by Coalition of Fulani Groups in Jos over alleged tactical approach of ethnic cleansing of Fulani in Plateau State has been described as nothing but an attempt to cover, confuse, misdirect and downplay the heinous crimes committed by their bandits.

Addressing journalists on Thursday in Jos, the Plateau State capital, the Coalition of Ethnic Associations affected by the massacre on Christmas eve posited that because the killings was allegedly carried out by Fulani bandits, there was no sincere place for their pretentious condolences which the group said it actually amounted to hidden sense of mockery and hypocrisy as the Fulani spoke from both sides of their mouth.

Barr. Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, President, Berom Youths Moulder- Association who read the text of the briefing on behalf of the Chairman, Forum of Community Development Association Chairmen Bokkos LGA and Dawap Sunday Dankaka, President, Mwagavwul Youth Movement said that ordinarily, the press briefing by the Coalition of Fulani would have passed without a single comment.

He however explained that the unsuspecting public and the international community would have been misled into believing that the barbaric and dastardly massacre on Christmas-Eve meted out on the people of Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu LGAs were justified on the spurious grounds adduced by the Fulani Coalition.

"By the misleading account of the so-called Coalition, how can this be true that a total number of 8 Districts have suddenly risen against the Fulani or their purported number of cattle herds without any reason?
They should be honest enough to tell the world why this could even be the case. Could it be that the terrorist activities and banditry that has come to be associated with the majority of the Fulani, is indeed, their push-factor?

"To the best of our knowledge, Fulani herders have been hosted by our communities for decades, but have now, in our view, counted themselves unworthy of the hospitality and accommodation of the native peoples who are largely sedentary peasant farmers".

The group noted that from a wide range of experiences and parallels in other states and regions of Nigeria that Fulani militants unleash terror on weak and harmless villages, annexed their lands and denied them access in those territories.

The coalition of ethnic associations revealed that in Plateau, there are over 102 Hamlets and villages that have been completely sacked and are being occupied by the Fulani.

"In addition, a peace loving and very kind Paramount Ruler of Bokkos LGA, HRH Da Lazarus Agai was gruesomely killed in cold-blood on his farm while a District Head and Village Head were both killed in similar circumstances.

"Sadly today, over 200 of their subjects have also been massacred by the same bandits and terrorist elements whom the Fulani Coalition is advocating for their protection, and also be allowed to continue terrorizing the entire place.

"It's a notorious fact that Fulani militants have been launching attacks and raiding Hamlets and Villages, committing all sorts of human rights abuses with the hope of displacing the natives, grabbing their lands and taking over the economic activities of those areas.

"So, it is very ironical for the victims of FULANI aggression and agenda to be portrayed as the aggressors in their own traditional homesteads and farmlands? This is, of course, a "PERFECT" work of their cheap propaganda, which is now common knowledge all over Nigeria".

The group noted with dismay, saying It's mind-blowing and, indeed, mischievous to brandish statistics with little or no substantiation or evidence stressing that It should, however, be understood that the aim of the Press Release by the Coalition of Fulani was to fuel their propaganda machine, and to probably diffuse attention from the victims of their terror in Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu LGAs.

"Knowing the killer Fulani herdsmen for who they are, who will imagine that over 350 Fulani are killed, and thousands of their cattle rustled with over 115 in one day all rustled or killed, and unbelievably, wait until January 7th for a so-called Coalition to make a Press Release on their behalf.

"Who on Earth will ever believe this? Is this not a diversionary tactics from the alarming Christmas-Eve killings and plunder that claimed 257 aside the over 100 injured, talk less of over 19,000 displaced and valuables worth Millions of Naira destroyed?"

The coalition of ethnic associations added that It was undisputed that the Fulani lacked customary rights and authority over lands and territories in all villages and Communities in the affected areas except those acquired through purchase, gifts and goodwill.

"Little wonder, therefore, that Fulani militants have chosen terror as a means of conquest land acquisitions in this 21st Century, where constitutionalism, civilization and civility is the hallmark of modern society.

The group gave the statistics of the destruction and casualties of the Christmas eve massacre as follows; Bokkos: 187 people killed, over 100 injured and over 15, 000 displaced from 31 villages raided.

Mangu: 52 killed people, over 1900 displaced from 4 villages completely overran.
The only prayer by the ethnic coalition is for Government to halt Fulani militants from raiding Hamlets and Villages, killing the natives and displacing as well as disrupting their livelihoods.

"Their sponsors and networks within and outside Nigeria should be bursted while the perpetrators and local accomplices be brought to justice", the coalition of associations added.

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