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From Jude Owuamanam, Jos
Youths in Plateau State, under the aegis of the Forum of Plateau State Youth Council (PYC) Local Government Chairmen Forum, in the 17 councils, have asked President Bola Tinubu to declare Fulani herdsmen a terrorist organisation.
The group also urged the president to order the military to go after them.
Speaking at a press briefing in Jos, yesterday, the youths lamented the unwarranted and unprovoked attack unleashed on the people of the state since April last year and the senseless Christmas eve massacre in the three local government areas of Barkin Ladi Bokkos and Mangu.
They described the atrocities of Fulani herdsmen as well-orchestrated genocide being carried out and sustained on the People of Plateau State, adding: “The situation in Mangu, Bokkos, Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Bassa councils of the state is deeply distressing, marked by attacks, destructions, land grabbing, that demand immediate national and international attention and intervention.”
The group Chairman, Dapip Stanley Titus, said the terror attacks have resulted in the deaths of thousands of people, displacement of communities and destructions of property worth billions of naira, with innocent civilians bearing the brunt of the heinous acts by the Fulani militia.
Titus, who is also PYC chairman in Mangu, called for an end to the trend.
“We call on President Tinubu to immediately declare the Fulani militia a terrorist group and order the military and all security forces to go after them with full lethal force and work towards the restoration of peace in our state.
“Mr. President should give a marching order for the rebuilding of the villages in Mangu, Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Bassa that are in ruins as a result of the barbaric acts of these terrorists and ensure the safe return of all displayed persons.
“On the eve of Christmas, December 24, 2023, over 17 villages in Bokkos council were again attacked by the rampaging killer Fulani Militia. This very attack resulted in the gruesome murder of over 200 innocent men, women and children, maiming of hundreds and looting and burning of property worth millions of naira.
“Again, Governor Caleb Mutfwang had to declare a 24 hours curfew in Mangu Local Government Area on January 23, 2024 following the deteriorating security situation in the area. Despite the 24 hours curfew imposed by the governor, the Fulani militia defied the curfew and attacked Kwahaslalek and some surrounding communities, killing no fewer than 25 persons and burning countless property on Wednesday, January 24, 2024.
“All these attacks are aside the isolated killing of our youths and people in their farms in the affected local government areas. Our youths cannot go to their farms and where they manage to cultivate their farms, headers graze on these farms, destroying the crops cultivated.
“How long shall this carnage and dastardly acts continue? We say enough is enough.
“The international community cannot stand and watch idly while innocent civilians suffer and lose their lives due to the senseless terror butchering going. We call on the international community to come to our aid in addressing this genocide and the humanitarian crisis that has been occasioned.”
“We are also calling on the international community through the United Nations to help us and end this genocide on the Plateau. We call on the International Criminal Court to focus its attention to Plateau State with a view to identifying actors for prosecution.”
