•Military not doing enough -MDA

From Jude Dangwam, Jos

The Mwaghavul Development Association (MDA) has expressed sadness over the killing of 30 people in Kwahaslalek village of Mangu Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State, alongside destruction of houses and other properties, including food items burnt down completely by suspected Fulani machineries.

The latest attack is coming barely 24 hours after Governor Caleb Mutfwang imposed a dusk to dawn curfew in the Mangu area of the state.

The sociocultural organisation, in a statement, yesterday, signed by its National Director, Public Affairs, Mr Lawrence Kyarshik, called for the withdrawal of the military to be replaced by MOPOLS and personnel of the Civil Defence Corps.

He said it is unfortunate that the breakdown of law and order in Mangu town, which began on Monday and continued till yesterday, was without any resistance from the security agencies.

“The unfortunate event is currently going on under the watchful eyes of the military, who have failed to give protection to law-abiding residents of Mangu. The Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, yesterday, in a swift reaction to curtails the situation, imposed a 24-hour curfew in Mangu Local Government “only for the Fulani Jihadists to unleash mayhem on Kwahaslalek, leaving over 30 people dead, houses completely raised down and properties, including food items, destroyed with fire.

“One then wonders how these criminals operated without any resistance from the security personnel already deployed in the local government,” he queried.

Kyarshik lamented that sadly enough, a security alert received on Monday, January 22, 2024, had shown that there were pending attacks in Mangu and other places, yet the carnage went on unhindered.

“As if that is not enough, even within Mangu, the Muslims took advantage of the curfew to burn down houses, killing unsuspected persons and destroying properties and churches.”

The MDA frowns at the activities of some of the military personnel who they accuse of being “complacent” in carrying out the constitutional duties they swore, to protect all citizens of the country, irrespective of tribe and religion.

The Director, Public Affairs, further added: “Eye witness report has it that while the military sends our people away, they watch the Muslims burn down houses seamlessly. We are losing confidence in the military with each passing moment because their actions are clear that they have taken sides.

“Consequently, we wish to demand complete withdrawal of the military to be replaced with MOPOLS and NSCDC as their roles in this conflict are highly suspicious. At the moment our people are left at the mercy of God, and the little they can do in self defence,” he stated.

They called on our people to remain prayerful, but defend themselves against further attacks.

“Defend yourselves and our land against all plans to intimidate us and God will give us victory.”

They called on the security agencies, especially the military, to put professionalism above personal interest in dealing with the situation in Mangu.

“Otherwise, our people, when pushed to the wall, their response may escalate the already bad situation,” he cautioned.

The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Plateau State chapter, has condemned, in totality, the resurgence of violence in Mangu town of the state.

The State Secretary, Dr Salim Musa Umar, in a statement, expressed concern that the crisis, which started Tuesday morning, from the outskirts of Mangu town, had spread into the town later in the day.

“This, unfortunately, has degenerated into a seemingly ethno-religious crisis, where places of worship were torched. This necessitated the imposition of a dusk to dawn curfew in the LGA by the state government. This measure, perhaps, was timely. Unfortunately, the implementation becomes problematic because the security personnel are obviously overstretched while some are allegedly compromised.”

Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the Special Force Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Captain James Oya, proved abortive as the media officer was not responding to his calls. Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Plateau State Command, DSP Alfred Alabo’s number was busy at the time of filing this report.