…Christian group gives updated data on Christmas Eve masaccre, says 212 killed
From Jude Owuamanam, Jos
Emir of Wase, Alh Dr Muhammadu Sambo Haruna, has given Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, the marching order to put machineries in motion to identify who’s a real resident of Plateau.
Haruna said that the practice where somebody enters the state, settle and begin to cause trouble should be over.
Speaking when a delegation of Muslim Umma paid a condolence visit to Mutfwang at the Government House, Little Rayfield, on Monday, also mandated the governor to establish taxes so that true residents could be identified.
He said that in the past, people don’t just come and settle anywhere they like.
“The practice is that the visitor is first introduced to the village chief, who, after inquiries, allocate a portion of land to the visitor. The village chief then gives account of the visitor. But today, the reverse is the case. Somebody just come, settle somewhere and begin to cause trouble.
“In the past people don’t just and settle any where, but today there is no control. It’s time to ensure that nobody comes in and do whatever he likes and go away. Introduce taxes as an obligation so that residents can be identified.
The Emir expressed regret that in the past 20 years that crises in the state had festered, nobody had been arrested and prosecuted.
“All these things that have been happening for the past 20 years nobody has been held accountable. People need to be accountable for their actions. Many judicial panel of inquiry have been set up and white papers released but not even one person has been prosecuted. If one person had been persecuted, it would have set an example to others.’
The Emir described Mutfwang administration as their own government, saying “Your government is ours and we support you in entirety. Muslim Umma are behind you 99.9 per cent except for some bad eggs and you find them every where.”
Mutfwang said he was gratified by the solidarity exhibited by the Muslim Umma.
He said, “I owe you a debt of gratitude. Some people have tried to malign me by saying that I don’t love Muslims, but the evidence on the ground is on the contrary.
“We wil deal with all enemies, arrest made, prosecution take place and culprits punished. I am happy with the support His Royal Highness has given me. I am happily that the Muslim Umma has in unison condemned the killings on the Plateau. I wil make sure we utilise the suggestions given by His Royal Highness. Nobody should be above the law.
Meanwhile, ECWA President and Chairman Denominational Leaders on the Plateau Rev. Stephen Baba Panya, has given an update on the Christmas Eve killings.
Speaking during a peace walk organised by the forum and the Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN), Baba Panya, said that the total number of people massacred in cold blood so far on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are now about 212 and they are still counting.
He said, “In a recent Press release by The Para-Mallam Peace Foundation dated December 29th 2023, with facts and statistics provided by Mr. Philip Sati Julson, National President, Butura Development Association and Chairman, Bokkos LGA Association of Chairmen of Community Development which was further corroborated by Hon. Monday Kassah, Transition Chairman of Bokkos LGA and Bishop Ayuba Amatawal in charge of the IDPs, the following is a breakdown of people killed directly from the scenes of attacks in Districts: Butura – 47 (including Barakin Ladi LGA), one (1) person still missing. Mbar – 28, Mangor – 50 with 50 injured and three (3) people still missing. Mazat -10 (the same Ron people but located in Barkin Ladi LGA. Bokkos – 39, Tangur – 9, Mushere – 1.
“The total number of people massacred in cold blood so far on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are now about 212 and they are still counting. Internally Displaced People (IDPs) are estimated now to be about 15,000.
“Ten Churches were burnt down: Baptist, Dares, CAC, Mbong, COCIN, Maiyanga, COCIN, Ndung, COCIN, Tahore, CAC, Lunghai, COCIN, Ngha-buk and COCIN Church Hurum. All the Ten Pastorium were burnt down. 4 Pastors: COCIN, CAC, Baptist and Assemblies of God were killed in the attacks and a Pastor’s wife and his five daughters.
“A breakdown so far shows that 50 Women, 20 Children, 7 physically challenged persons were burnt in their homes as they were unable to run and 135 men were killed. A total of 31 in Bokkos and 2 in Barakin Ladi now with a total 33. Villages were attacked in the well-coordinated military style assault. The breakdown of the villages according to districts are as follow: Butura – 4, Mbar – 8, Tangur – 5, Bokkos – 4, Mushere – 1, Mangor – 10 and Mazat (BKLGA) – 2. Total Vehicles cars and buses destroyed – 24, Motorcycles destroyed or stolen about 126 by the attackers. The total number of houses burnt is about (three hundred and one –403). Water pumps 280.”