Following the recent attacks that occurred in Mangu, Bokkos, Barkin Ladi and other Local Government areas of Plateau state that claimed many lives and destruction of properties between December 24th, 2023 to 28th January, 2024, The Equity International Initiative has expressed sadness over the incident.
Equity International Initiative is a community of young change makers that is non-governmental, non-profit civil society organisation committed to changing and reshaping the future of Africa using young people as a catalyst.
While addressing this challenges to Clusterchannel in a press briefing, The country Director, Ambassador Chris Iyamadisclosed that the horrific attack columnated in the unfortunate killings of at least 230 innocent people within just a month. He stated that What is most painful about these unfortunate killings is that people were preparing to celebrate Christmas and in the dead of the night, they were slaughtered. The enemies of humanity slaughter women, children and few weeks old new born babies.
“What is more worrisome is that these attacked went on unabated for hours without restrain from security agencies or anyone else. As an organization we condemn this unprovoked attack on humanity, regardless of the reasons behind them. There is no justification for the killing of innocent people at night in their sleep” He added
According to reports, most of the communities are not accessible and these are the claims of the military and other security agencies. They claimed that most of the communities affected are not accessible. This is laughable and at the same time heart breaking because we wonder how election materials get to those places during election and anytime the politicians are seeking for their votes. Our security agencies have no other business but to secure lives and properties.
The country director also voiced concern about the ongoing attacks because it appear to be targeting Christian communities and churches, which he believe is an attempt to methodically annihilate brethren in Plateau State. He expressed his sorrows that it is a pure act of terror and genocide against the Plateau people and the nation at large.
“We are deeply concerned that these attacks attended, inspite of the visit of the federal government led by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima earlier in the month and security chiefs to the affected local government and communities, we have not recorded significant progress with security in the affected areas”
The Equity International Initiative is urging the National Assembly to act swiftly and pass law to establish State Police so that Governors can respond promptly in the event of a security-related incident. We are aware that the Plateau State Governor does not command troops to make arrests.
Amb. Chris Iyama also urge the government at all levels to take the necessary steps to ensure that the perpetrators are apprehended and held accountable under the law.
“We wish to also call for immediate initiation of modalities to compensate communities whose property and farmlands were destroyed, thereby creating huge implication for food security and scarcity in the coming days. This is because the communities attacked are one of the largest farming communities in Plateau State and Nigeria at large”
“We are also calling on the the National Emergency Management Agency to intensify humanitarian support to all the affected communities”
“We’re calling on Federal Government and security agencies to immediately reclaim and secure all abandoned farm lands, and abandoned homes so that all the farmers who left their ancestral lands can feel safe to return to their communities and their farm lands”
Amb. Iyama concluded by pleading to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), is to demonstrate by action the “Renewed Hope” he promised Nigerians, so that the people of Plateau State can return to the relative calm they experienced before to his administration.
Comrade Sunday D. Dankaka, the National President of the Mwaghavul Youth Movement, added personal reports of the circumstances in Mangu to the statement from Equity International. Dankaka demanded a comprehensive probe into the happenings and chastised the military for making unfounded accusations over what transpired in Mangu LGA.
“We are here to inform the public that Ebenezer Caleb, the individual the military claimed to be dead, is still alive and well. The military has not contacted anyone to inquire about the events that led to their claims, instead choosing to make their own claims.” Dankaka Remarked.
He challenged assertions made by the military about what started the violence and gave information illustrating the extent of the destruction in Mangu, including the number of dead, injured, and destroyed property. He reported that there have been 91 deaths in Mangu, including 42 women, 37 children, and 12 men. Additionally, there are approximately 158 injured people receiving care in 8 different hospitals, 204 houses that have been set on fire, 202 stores that have been looted, and approximately 15 mosques and 15 churches that have been impacted by the recent violence in Mangu LGA.
At the press conference, other community representatives gave eyewitness accounts of the horrific attacks carried out by herders that resulted in the destruction of most of their communities. These included Ebenezer Caleb, a motorcyclist, Jenet Fedelis, and Zugumtu Manessah Bitrus, whose father was killed. Their testimonials demonstrated the violence’s pervasive effects and the pressing need for assistance and safety for impacted persons and communities.
Both civil society organisations and local leaders are calling for immediate action as tensions in Plateau State continue to rise. There has never been a more urgent need for a thorough and well-coordinated response to address the fundamental problems that are causing the conflict.
