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From Jude Owuamanam, Jos
A coalition of victims of the Christmas Eve attacks in three local governments areas of Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu, have described as baseless, spurious and diversionary the claims by an equal coalition of Fulani groups that no fewer than 350 Fulani herdsmen were killed and thousands of cows stolen in the last six months.
The coalition consisting of Berom Youths Moulder-Association (BYM) and the Forum of Bokkos Development Association and the Mwagavwul Youths Movement, said were it so and considering the aggressive nature of the Fuani, it would have not taken them up to this time to cry out.
Daily Sun ha reported that an equal coalition of Fulani groups consisting of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN); Gan Allah Fulani Development Association of Nigeria (GAFDAN); Bajoil Fulani; Jonde Jam Kautal Hore, and Lawul Fulaku, had last Sunday alleged that between July 14, 2023 and now, 350 of their members were killed, while they lost 850 cows to rustlers.
But the coalition of victims at a press briefing yesterday cried fowl, describing the claims by the Fuani as “concocted, illogical and fictitious and an attempt to cover, confuse, misdirect and downplay the heinous crimes committed by their bandits, and therefore, there was no sincere place for their pretentious condolences which actually amount to a hidden sense of mockery and hypocrisy as they spoke from both sides of the mouth.”
Representatives of the coalition, Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri,President of Berom Youths Moulder-Association; Philip S Julson,Chairman Forum of Community Development Association Chairmen, Bokkos LGA and Dawap Sunday Dankaka.
President Mwagavwul Youth Committee, who spoke at the press briefing said, :By the misleading account of the so-call Coalition, how can this be true that a total number of eight Districts have suddenly risen against the Fulani or their purported number of cattle herds without any reason They should be honest enough to tell the world why this could even be the case. Could it be that the terrorist activities and banditry that has come to be associated with the majority of the Fulani, is indeed, their push-factor? To the best of our knowledge, Fulani herders have been hosted by our communities for decades, but have now, in our view, counted themselves unworthy of the hospitality and accommodation of the native peoples who are largely sedentary peasant farmers.
“From a wide range of experiences and parallels in other States and Regions of Nigeria that Fulani militants unleash terror on weak and harmless villages, annexed their lands and denied them access in those territories. In Plateau, there are over 102 Hamlets and villages that have been completely sacked and are being occupied by the Fulani.
In addition, a peace loving and very kind Paramount Ruler of Bokkos LGA, HRH Da Lazarus Agai was gruesomely killed in cold-blood on his farm while a District Head and Village Head were both killed in similar circumstances. Sadly today, over 200 of their subjects have also been massacred by the same bandits and terrorist elements whom the Fulani Coalition is advocating for their protection, and also be allowed to continue terrorizing the entire place. It’s a notorious fact that Fulani militants have been launching attacks and raiding Hamlets and Villages, committing all sorts of human rights abuses with the hope of displacing the natives, grabbing their lands and taking over the economic activities of those areas.
“So, it is very ironic for the victims of Fulani aggression and agenda to be portrayed as the aggressors in their own traditional homesteads and farmlands? This is, of course, a “perfect” work of their cheap propaganda, which is now common knowledge all over Nigeria
“It’s mind-blowing and, indeed, mischievous to brandish statistics with little or no substantiation or evidence. It should, however, be understood that the aim of their Press Release was to fuel their propaganda machine, and to probably diffuse attention from the victims of their terror in Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu LGAs. Knowing the killer Fulani herdsmen for who they are, who will imagine that over 350 Fulani are killed, and thousands of their cattle rustled with over 115 in one day all rustled or killed, and unbelievably wait until January 7th for a so-call Coalition to make a Press Release on their behalf. Who on Earth will ever believe this? Is this not a diversionary tactics from the alarming Christmas-Eve killings and plunder that claimed 257 aside the over 100 injured,talk less of over 19,000 displaced and valuables worth Millions of Naira destroyed?
“It’s undisputed that the Fulani lack customary rights and authority over lands and territories in all our villages and Communities except those acquired through purchase, gifts and goodwill. Little wonder, therefore, that Fulani militants have chosen terror as a means of conquest land acquisitions in this 21st Century, where constitutionalism, civilization and civility is the hallmark of modern society.
The victims said that they are at the receiving end of Fulani terror orchestrated and unleashed through their bandits, local and International compradors, adding “The will of the Nigerian State and Government is, indeed, on trial as to whether these terrorists would go on unchecked or that security agents will rise to the occasion to guarantee the safety of lives and property of citizens in this country.
