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•Affected villagers beg authorities to intervene
From Jude Owuamanam, Jos
A coalition of ethnic nationalities, under the aegis of the Atakar, Berom, Irigwe, Mwaghavwul and Ron Youths Associations, in conjunction with the coalition of Plateau indigenous youth bodies, has raised the alarm over forceful displacement and annexation of 151 indigenous hamlets, villages and communities, as well as land grabbing in Plateau State by the Fulani.
In the text of the briefing read by Chairman, Indigenous Youths, Mr. Paul Dekete, alongside other tribal leaders, held at the NUJ Press Centre in Jos, yesterday, the group expressed disappointment over the low level of response by governments over the years over their plight.
The annexed communities, according to them, are scattered in Bassa, Bokkos, Riyom, Barkin Ladi, and Mangu local government areas.
The text read in part, “In view of the unsatisfactory and feeble responses so far received from all levels of government in Nigeria, the Atakar, Berom, Irigwe, Mwaghavwul and Ron youths associations, in conjunction with the Coalition of Plateau Indigenous Youths Bodies, are constrained to draw attention of the public and, especially, the international community, through this press conference, on the alarming and unacceptable loss of ancestral lands as well as the denial of access to farmlands and mining sites, currently being suffered by the customary landowners in the state.
“For several years to date, the youth bodies have been crying aloud and lodging complaints to appropriate authorities, including the Nigerian Police Force, Department of State Security, Operation Safe Haven-OPSH, National Human Rights Commission, the National Assembly and others, that there is a serious undercurrent to the unprecedented and well orchestrated terror attacks unleashed on our hamlets, villages and communities with the principal motive of dispossessing us of our God-giving lands and territory.
“The agenda and strategy of the Fulani terrorists is evidenced in attacks and killings on hamlets, villages and communities, thereby intimidating and displacing native inhabitants, leading to the disruption of their livelihoods, paving way for the occupation of such lands and denial of access which consequentially produces ungoverned spaces and “NO-GO” areas for supposedly conquered peoples in this 21st Century.
“From our collective community experiences, we strongly believe there is a curious connection between the areas where our people have suffered the worst forms of displacement and denial of access to the rich natural and mineral endowment of such locations.
It’s common knowledge that hamlets and villages in Barkin Ladi, Bassa, Bokkos Mangu and Riyom Local Government Areas are richly endowed with resources such as favourable weather conditions, natural tourist sites, fertile soils, water bodies.
“Cassiterite, Columbite and so many other minerals. It’s instructive, therefore, to judiciously note the rapidly changing economic and occupational demographics in the occupied territories.
For instance, in Gashish District of Barkin Ladi LGA, the Fulani have currently taken over the economic activities of the area, having largely displaced native farmers from their ancestral areas.
“The exploitation and domination of the people is evidenced at local produce markets and transport businesses in and around the said Gashish District. It’s quite provoking to imagine that the foundation of churches that were destroyed by these terrorist elements have overnight been reconstructed as Mosques to the utter disregard of the fundamental rights of the displaced people.
“A case in point is the Rankum (Mahanga) in Jol, Ranchos and Kak in Sopp, all in Riyom Local Government Area. For the avoidance of doubt, over 151 hamlets and villages are either totally “annexed” or effectively being occupied by the Fulani militants, bandits or terrorists in the aforementioned local governments of Barkin Ladi, Bassa, Bokkos, Mangu and Riyom. Below is the list of the affected areas which can independently be verified. communities annexed by terrorists, bandits and Fulani militants in Plateau State.”
