The suspects and items recovered have been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Plateau State command for further investigation.
While commending troops for their vigilance, the Commander OPSH, Major General Ibrahim Ali reiterated the determination of his command to flush out criminal elements on the Plateau and environs. He said OPSH will not rest on its oars until criminals and their collaborators are annihilated. He equally urged law abiding citizens to continue to support security agencies with credible information on criminal activities.
Commander OPSH Major Gen IS Ali handing over the suspects and illicit drugs to Officers of NDLEA
Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) today Saturday 4 September 2021 burst drug syndicate and recovered 320 blocks of Indian hemp worth 9.5 million naira concealed in a Toyota Camry car with registration number Abuja ABC 214 HV.
The suspects Ex Sgt Patrick Kalu a retired police officer, 60 year old and Mr Friday Kalu 40 years old were nabbed by troops of OPSH during stop and search operation at Manchok Riom road. They alleged that they were contracted to convey the illicit substance from Ondo State to Yola, Adamawa State.
The Suspects According to a statement issued by the military information officer Major Ishaku Takwa, Items recovered from the suspects include 320 blocks of substance suspected to be cannabis, a Toyota camry car with registration Number Abuja, ABC 214 HV, a police identity card, 2 Nokia phones and two wallets containing Sixteen Thousand One Hundred naira and another containing Two Thousand Nine Hundred and Forty Naira only.
GOVERNOR LALONG COMMENDS PEACEFUL CONDUCT OF APC LG CONGRESSES IN PLATEAU STATE; INSPECTS BRIDGE CONSTRUCTIONS IN SHENDAM
Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has commended members of the APC in the State for their peaceful conduct during the exercise, describing their maturity as a great assest for the fortunes of the party.
Lalong was speaking in Shendam, his Local Government during the conduct of the exercise at the Shendam Youth Centre where all the officers emerged via consensus.
The Governor said what transpired in Shendam was a good example of political maturity and dialogue where individual interests are harnessed for the common good and the strengthening of the party in the State and nation at large.
He assured the members that their sacrifices and considerations will be rewarded as the party continues to wax stronger, ready to win the forthcoming Local Government elections.
He charged those elected to do justice, be always available for the people, and never allow individual interests to override the wishes of the people.
Hon. Nuru Rangmen Mohammed emerged Chairman of the APC in Shendam Local Government together with other members.
Prior to the Local Government APC congress elections in Shendam Local Government Area, the Governor took time off to inspect some ongoing road construction projects within his home Local Government.
The first road visited was the Kalong-Angwan Dadi road which has attained appreciable progress. The Governor inspected the two connecting bridges measuring over 150 metres and 75 metres respectively, which will be the longest bridge in the State when completed.
He was briefed on the state of the on-going work by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Works Engr. Alexander Plangnaan who explained that the two bridges connecting the two main towns and surrounding villages are almost completed awaiting final connection.
The Governor expressed delight on the progress of work and explained that the bridges and road road was conceived as a result of the yearnings of the people of the area, known to be the food basket of the Local Government.
The Long Dorok of Dorok Chiefdom His Royal Highness Miskoom David Isa Dongban, Member representing Shendam/Mikang/Quaanpan Federal Constituency, Hon. Komsol Alphonsus Longaap and the Chairman, Shendam Local Government Hon. Alex Naantuam all commended the Governor for ensuring that the work is done diligently.
They said the construction of the road is a great boost to the economic activities of the area and the entire Local Government as farmers now have good access to evacuate their farm produce to the market.
The Governor also inspected some ongoing roads in Shendam town as well as the connecting bridge to the Shendam bye-pass road where he expressed delight on the pace and quality of work and assured that Government will do its best to fund the project to completion.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 4th September 2021.
NORTHERN GOVERNORS CELEBRATE SGF, BOSS MUSTAPHA AT 65
The Northern Governors Forum has congratulated Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Gida Mustapha on his 65th birthday, describing him as an accomplished technocrat, lawyer and politician with tremendous passion for the development of Nigeria.
Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong in a message said the Secretary to the Government of the Federation carries an enviable record of dedicated service to humanity, passion for human capital development, commitment to ideals of truth, justice and patriotism, as well as embraced people from all backgrounds in the journey of his life.
He said these attributes have been visible in his political and professional career by greatly influencing his achievements since being appointed to head the nation’s bureaucracy by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Lalong said Boss Mustapha remains a shining example of humility, transparency, mobilization, and commitment, particularly in his current assignment of spearheading Nigeria’s response against COVID-19 where he has galvanised the nation to put up a robust fight against the pandemic.
While wishing him many more years of good health, God’s protection and greater service to the nation, Lalong said the Northern Governors Forum will continue to work with him for the growth of the Northern region and the entire country, particularly in addressing some of the challenges that have retarded progress and unity.
He also advised him to remain focussed and never allow his faith in God or cherished principles to waiver no matter the situation.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 4th September 2021.
The attention of the above Association has been drawn to a purported news making the rounds in some news media that IDA has signed a peace Accord with Fulani at the Plateau state government house.
Ordinarily, the Irigwe nation would have remained mute on this issue as we are still mourning the death of over a hundred of our people, but for the purpose of setting the record straight, we wish to make it clear that as it is, and as a peace loving people we have attended several meetings at the government house with His Excellency Barr. Simon Bako Lalong so as to exhaust every available means that could bring about peace in our land, however, we have not yet signed any peace agreement with anybody and will not sign any agreement contrary to the resolution of the entire Rigwe nation.
We therefore urge all our esteem sons and daughters to disregard such untrue and misleading news, even as we call on every one to continue to pray for the leadership as we explore every available means of finding lasting peace in our land, and also ensure that Justice is done to victims of the attacks in all our communities. Thank you.
Signed. Hon. Danjuma Dickson Auta. National Secretary General IDA.
PLATEAU APC SET FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT PARTY CONGRESSES, AS GOVERNOR LALONG CALLS FOR PEACEFUL CONDUCT
Governor Simon Bako Lalong has charged members of the All Progressives Congress in Plateau State to ensure they conduct peaceful, free and fair Local Government party Congresses that will sustain the unity of the party and further consolidate peace in the entire State.
Governor Lalong while addressing members of the party at a Zonal Meeting in Shendam preparatory to the Local Government Congresses scheduled for Saturday, said the party must resist any attempt by political interests and criminals to hijack the process.
He reminded the members that the path of consensus has been recommended as the best way to avoid rancour in the scheduled congresses. He advised the members to exercise patience and put aside personal ambitions for the greater good of the party and its victory.
The Governor said the party has put in place mechanisms to address grievances and also ensure that all members are rewarded for their contributions to the party.
Lalong urged the members of the APC family and other citizens of the State to be resolute in ensuring that peace is sustained throughout the State, as the Government is doing so much to ensure the protection of lives and properties.
He again commiserated with the people of the State over the recent attacks, assuring that Government is doing everything possible to forestall reoccurence and also punish perpetrators.
Zonal Chairman of the APC in Southern Zone, Mr. Paul Atsar welcomed members to the all- important meeting which is to strategise for a smooth Local Government congress. He assured the Governor that the party members in the zone have been fully mobilised for the local government congress elections.
Majority leader of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon. Naanlong Daniel used the meeting to call on APC members to be vigilant against those who want to politicise insecurity and promote their selfish agenda.
He vowed that all members of the APC in the House of Assembly will resist any attempt by members of the opposition to harass and distract the Governor who has done so much to restore peace to the State with clear and abundant evidence to show.
Other stakeholders also expressed confidence in the leadership of Governor Simon Lalong describing him as a great achiever who has promoted peace and carried out developmental projects across all parts of the State.
They unanimously passed a vote of confidence on his leadership and encouraged him to continue making the zone, State and nation proud.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 3rd September 2021
PLATEAU APC SET FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT PRIMARIES AS GOVERNOR LALONG CALLS FOR PEACEFUL CONDUCT
Governor Simon Bako Lalong has charged members of the All Progressives Congress in Plateau State to ensure they conduct peaceful, free and fair Local Government Congresses that will sustain the unity of the party and further consolidate peace in the entire State.
Governor Lalong while addressing members of the party at a Zonal Meeting in Shendam preparatory to the Local Government Congresses scheduled for Saturday, said the party must resist any attempt by political interests and criminals to hijack the process.
He reminded the members that the path of consensus has been recommended as the best way to avoid rancour in the scheduled congresses. He advised the members to exercise patience and put aside personal ambitions for the greater good of the party and its victory.
The Governor said the party has put in place mechanisms to address grievances and also ensure that all members are rewarded for their contributions to the party.
Lalong urged the members of the APC family and other citizens of the State to be resolute in ensuring that peace is sustained throughout the State, as the Government is doing so much to ensure the protection of lives and properties.
He again commiserated with the people of the State over the recent attacks, assuring that Government is doing everything possible to forestall reoccurence and also punish perpetrators.
Zonal Chairman of the APC in Southern Zone, Mr. Paul Atsar welcomed members to the all- important meeting which is to strategise for a smooth Local Government congress. He assured the Governor that the party members in the zone have been fully mobilised for the local government congress elections.
Majority leader of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon. Naanlong Daniel used the meeting to call on APC members to be vigilant against those who want to politicise insecurity and promote their selfish agenda.
He vowed that all members of the APC in the House of Assembly will resist any attempt by members of the opposition to harass and distract the Governor who has done so much to restore peace to the State with clear and abundant evidence to show.
Other stakeholders also expressed confidence in the leadership of Governor Simon Lalong describing him as a great achiever who has promoted peace and carried out developmental projects across all parts of the State.
They unanimously passed a vote of confidence on his leadership and encouraged him to continue making the zone, State and nation proud.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 3rd September 2021
IGP Usman Federal Government has approved the recruitment of 20,000 policemen in an effort to resolve the security situation of the country.
Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Baba Alkali disclosed this when he paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Dutse at his Palace. He said the aim of the visit was to seek the collaboration of all stallholders in addressing the insecurity situation of the country. “Federal Government has approved the recruitment of police and provided all the necessary logistics to do the recruitment” ” The recruitment is in line with the Federal Government directives to recruit 10,000 policemen every year and for 2020 we will match with 2021 which will increase the strength of the police by 20,000″
The IGP, however, urged the traditional rulers to take part in the recruitment process to ensure those recruited are of good character and indigenes of their local governments. He said those trained will also be deployed to their respective communities for better policing. “There is no better person who can provide proper policing than the person who knows the culture and tradition of the people”. He said.
Plateau state All Progressives Congress Elders Council on Friday expressed deepest concerns, sadness and grief on the unfortunate and senseless killings of innocent citizens in the State.
The group also passed a vote of confidence on the Plateau state Governor Simon Lalong for his peace building efforts .
Addressing newsmen in Jos , Arch Pam Dung Gyang who read the text of the press conference in Jos on behalf of Capt Joseph M. Din, the Chairman, Plateau State APC Elders Council further said that these attacks in Riyom LGA, Miango in Bassa Local Government Area, Rukuba Road and Yelwa Zangam in Jos North and all other isolated attacks that have taken place in the recent times is condemnable, unwarranted and satanic.
“The Plateau APC Elders further said that they stand in solidarity with His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong, and the good people of Plateau State in this trying moment.”
” We wish to encourage him to continue with the peace process he is known for.
“Plateau State has had its fair share of the dark days, where external forces take advantage of the polarization of our citizens on the basis of ethnicity, religion and political leanings. No one will wish to experience those days again where people’s lives were wasted without remorse, distrust amongst citizens, and killings were the order of the day. “
The elders added that “Having watched keenly how events have unfolded from 2001 to this day, we must come together as a people of good conscience bounded together in love and unity for the good of Plateau State irrespective of tribe and religion. “
“It will be in the interest of Plateau State if the Plateau State Government revisits and identifys the youths of Plateau State that were trained abroad in security and intelligence gathering by the last administration as contained in the transition committee report, so that they are merged with the 3000 vigilantes trained by this current administration. “
“This will further boost and complement the efforts of the conventional security agencies in information gathering and tracking down bad elements amongst the residents of Plateau State. “
The elders also condemn in strongest terms the uncultured way some youths drag dead bodies of citizens who were recently killed, moving the dead bodies from one place to another in the name of protest, we want our youths to know that, the killing of our people is very painful but politicising it is very wrong.
Preamble The Plateau Initiative for Development and Advancement of the Natives (PIDAN)_the umbrella body of all the 56 autochthones of Plateau once again wish to reiterate its condemnation in strongest terms of the attacks on law abiding citizens by any group of persons by whatever name and reasons because life is sacrosanct and God’s gift to human. Our Press statement of 15th August 2021 did convey our feelings and position on the unfortunate Rukuba Road incident of 14 August 2021. We wish to join others in consoling the Anaguta Nation on the killings at Yelwa Zangam and pray that God almighty grants them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. May the souls of the departed rest in peace. We equally wish to appreciate the Plateau State Governor’s new approach to handling the crisis by visiting such communities and a promise to settle the medical bills of the survivors. We hope this will be complimented by compensation to remaining members of the families of those who lost their lives and equally sustain the practice since the killings have persisted.
PIDAN is very worried that killings in Yelwa Zangam took placed during the curfew hours and wondered about the effectiveness of the security architecture in safe-guarding communities and wish to again call on both the Federal and the State Government to further strengthen the security arrangement and forestall further waste of lives of innocent citizens.
PIDAN is equally greatly concern about the misconception, perception and misinformation of the general public by different interest groups within and outside Plateau on the on-going killings in the State especially following the aftermath of the August 14 killing event at Rukuba Road. We felt there is need to provide quality information to the public and the Government with the hope that it keeps the public better informed and enable the Government and its security agencies address some immediate and remote causes of the killings in the State.
First, Rukuba Road is the road that connects Jos-North LGA with the Maxwell Korbe Cantonment which houses the 3rd Armoured Division of the Nigeria Army in Rukuba land in Bassa LGA. It is only a fraction of the road that is in Rukuba land. The August 14 incidents occurred in the Jos-North part of the road and not in Rukuba land as insinuated by some publications in the media.
The month of August 2021 has undoubtedly, been an unusually unique moment for indigenes, residents and observers of the over a decade long organized and coordinated program of genocide on autochthonous communities of Plateau State, by Fulani Killer Herdsmen and militia. For those ignorant of the daily guerrilla-styled killings presently going on in Barkin Ladi and Riyom LGAs partly captured in the PIDAN Council’s Communiques of 20 March and 3rd July 2021; and sadly, the systematic cleansing of entire communities of Irigwe Chiefdom in Bassa LGA and the Anaguta Chiefdom in Jos-North LGA, it must have been a huge devastation and shock. These unfortunate developments have ultimately shown that indeed the peace in the State has consistently remain very fragile and should be propped up at all times. PIDAN wishes to, once more, place on record its sincere condolences to all victims of the continuous genocide and other related acts, including those who lost their lives in the aftermath of the unfortunate events of Saturday, August 14, 2021.
Our hearts are with our people living in an unfortunate inhuman condition of abject destitution, having been forcefully uprooted from their ancestral lands and homes, by Fulani Killer Herdsmen and Fulani terrorists, who now illegally occupy such communities. What else can we say to those whose crops on farms, nearing harvest, have been wickedly destroyed, in many communities of Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Bassa, Bokkos, Mangu, Jos East Council Areas and elsewhere in the State. We are justifiably worried and sufficiently disturbed by the lingering prospects of a bleak or even no harvest ahead and its attendant ravaging starvation that stares our people in the face.
Remote factors to the hatred and killings
i. Plateau has, at best, had a hostile and unfriendly relationship with the Muslims North characterized by an unrelenting culture of deception and manipulation, from time immemorial. The 1804 Jihad of Othman Dan Fodio in Sokoto and its subsequent spread, like a winter wild fire, across the northern part of Nigeria, met a decisive waterloo in Jos, at the famous Naraguta war of 1873, as the present autochthonous ethnic groups of the Jos Plateau inflicted a crushing defeat on the Jihadists. Since then, the relationship between the northern oligarchy and Plateau autochthones has never been cordial. Over the years, technocrats of Hausa-Fulani extraction are known to have taken undue advantage of their positions in the Federal Government, to advance the scope and entrenched communal mistrust, suspicion and hostilities, between their settler kith’s and kins in Jos and the indigenes also known as autochthones.
ii. The flagrant abuse of the Federal Character principle culminating in the appointment of one Muktar Mohammed in June 2001, a native of Borno State, to head the Poverty Alleviation Program in Jos-North Local Government, the appointment of one Sanusi Mato, a Katsina indigene, as Sole Administrator of the same Jos Local Government, in April 1994 by the Mohammed Maina’s administration as vividly captured in the Fibiresima Commission report, 1994 heralded the outbreaks of violence and killings in on the Plateau. These few examples have deliberately not captured the generous patronage extended to residents of Jos, of Hausa-Fulani extraction, by their kith and kins in the Federal Government, in terms of lucrative job offers and contract placements, as well as the frustration meted out to Plateau indigenes in the Federal Service, by the same group.
iii. Plateau has become a home to all ethnic nationalities across Nigeria on account of our receptive and accommodative character. To date, it is on record that none of the non-indigenes who have had to suffer losses in lives and properties in Jos during crises, did so in the hands of the autochthones. We state with every sense of pride that at the outbreak of hostilities in 1966, preparatory to the outbreak of the civil war, many fleeing Igbos in Jos handed over their landed properties to indigenes, while some did same to their Hausa-Fulani friends. At the end of the war, most of those who entrusted their properties to indigenes, got them back, some with the rents collected during the war period. Let the Igbos tell the world how many of them got back their landed properties, especially those along Bauchi road Jos.
iv. Perhaps going back history, the Hausa-Fulani were not the first non-indigenous ethnic nationality to step into the Plateau. In 1902, Col. H. W. Laws, a mining Engineer, was sent into the Jos Plateau by the Royal Niger Company, to further explore the possibilities of commercial mining in the Jos Plateau sub region. He came along with porters, made up primarily of Niger Delta indigenes and a detachment of soldiers, of Yoruba extraction. This explains the very strong affiliation between the people of Jos and these non-indigenous nationalities. It was after the colonial conquest of the indigenous ethnic groups and the restoration of pax Britanica, and with the development of the tin mining industry, that the Hausa mining labourers started coming into the Jos mines region. Surprisingly, it is the latter group that has constituted itself into the veritable agent provocateur by turning Jos and Plateau State in general, into a killing field today. This is because the Hausa-Fulani seem to have vowed to make Jos and indeed, the entire State ungovernable, unless they are accorded the status of indigenes and subsequently made to install an Emir in Jos.
Contemporary trends of insecurity and the evolution of terrorism in the State
i. Prior to the bloody riot of the 7th September, 2001, all the demonstrations that took place in Jos were limited largely to the city and usually nipped within a day. Also worth noting is the low casualty, involving injuries with no loss of lives, due largely to the use of crude instruments as sticks, cutlasses and cudgels. All this however, changed completely in 2001, as the cause of this outing was fierce and religious, involving the use of very sophisticated and deadly weapons by the aggressors from 7-13th September leaving approximately 1000 deaths and displacing at least 50,000 civilians as captured by the Human Rights Watch report 2001. The November 2008 outing following the Local Government election however, remains the baseline in lethality, viciousness and large-scale devastation, and indeed, a prelude to what was to come. This was not a demonstration but a well-planned and strategically implemented warfare, in contrast to previous episodes and claimed over 700 lives as captured in Human Rights Watch report 2009.
ii. Another important aspect of the 2008 killings was the direct involvement of the then Chief of Army Staff, in what looked like monitoring of the security agencies, but essentially it was not. With then AIG in charge of Benue, Plateau and Nasarawa states, having relocated to Jos from his Makurdi base, and his state Police Commissioner firmly on ground, complimented by the GOC, 3rd Armoured Division, Rukuba, all on top of the situation, observers were of the opinion, the presence of the Army Chief in Jos, was unnecessary. Interestingly, while in Jos for about six days, the Army Chief did not pay courtesy calls on the Governor, the Gbong Gwom Jos and CAN leadership, a major victim of the killings, in both human and material losses. Instead, the COAS roamed about Hausa dominated wards of Jos and the Central Mosque. After putting in place the structure and personnel of the Special Military Task Force (STF), now Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), to handle the security issues of Plateau, he left. Not long after a new wave of very deadly terrorist attacks were launched centering on villages of Barkin Ladi LGA and later Riyom LGAs.
iii. Starting from Demburuk (Dogo Na Hauwa) in 2010, village after village systematically, came under deadly dawn attacks, killing every human in sight as well as destroying residential buildings. The gory orgy was virtually a daily affair and most times, with the STF men sitting aloof and watching. A new dimension was added to the killings, which was in the immediate take-over and occupation of the overran villages, by the very same killers. While the spate of killings in Barkin Ladi and Riyom LGAs were coming down, with the coming in of the present government, Bokkos and Bassa LGAs were rising up. A first class traditional ruler of Bokkos, Saf Ron Kulere, Sir Lazarus Agai was murdered by suspected Fulani Killer Herdsmen on the 18th July 2016. Today Irigwe and Anaguta lands are at the epic-centre of the storm, experiencing, similar devastations visited on Berom villages and Ron Kulere Chiefdom of Bokkos, in the manner of massive killings and destruction of dwelling places. The devastation in Riyom saw the complete evacuation of Attakar nation from Ganawuri Chiefdom into Kaduna State.
Genocide in the face of official manipulation and deception
i. We wish to state without any equivocation, that in the face of the massive killings and destruction of the livelihood of our people, the OPSH has been of very little help in most cases. It has been a case of total abandonment of our people at the mercy of a deadly gang of foreign and local Fulani terrorists. We have every reason to believe this is deliberate and a part of a policy strategy of the Federal Government, to force the RUGA or colony program for the Fulani on us. It is most disheartening to note that what is gradually and steadily consuming the whole of Plateau State has been whimsically reduced into a deceptive gimmick of farmers-herders clashes, by the Government and is being bandied out line, hook and sinker, by the mainstream media.
ii. Nothing explains the apparent insensitivity and insincerity of the Federal Government towards the genocide in Plateau in particular than the deliberate refusal of the National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA), the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and all the Presidential Initiatives on the victims of Insurgency, to attend to victims of the Plateau genocide. We are very much aware of the spirited efforts by some of our Federal Legislators to draw national attention to the plight of our people, but in vain. Admitting that an act of criminality has occurred, each time our villagers are attacked, killed and rendered homeless, has veritably assumed an uphill task, for government both at Federal and State levels. Thus the victims of Fulani terror attacks in Plateau State are largely, at the mercy of relations, well-meaning individuals, community help groups and God.
iii. We recall that prominent Church leaders, on the Plateau had cause to passionately call on President, Muhammadu Buhari, to urgently and honestly step in and halt the human carnage in the State. This was in reaction to the heartless, mind bogging and horrendous butchering of over 200 persons as captured in the Amnesty International Press Release of 28 June 2018 following a three-day invasion by suspected Fulani Killer Herdsmen on Gashish and Ropp Districts of Barkin Ladi LGA, Shonong, Rim and Jol villages of Riyom LGA and villages in Jos-South and Mangu LGAs, between June 22 to 24, 2018. On behalf of Heads of Christian Denominations in the State, in 2018, the then State CAN Chairman, Rev. Dr Soja Bewarang, urged the President to, “avoid a state of complete anarchy, where the people are forced to defend themselves.” The Church heads rejected the worn out narrative of farmers-herders clashes, noting with utmost disappointment that, ‘the FG has been so immersed in this false propaganda and deceit while forcefully pushing the policy idea of establishing cattle ranches/colonies on the ancestral farmlands of the attacked communities, for the Fulani herdsmen as the only solution to the problem”. The statement concluded that there was nothing like farmers-herders clashes, ‘when one group is persistently attacking, killing, maiming, destroying and the other group is persistently being killed, maimed and their places of worship destroyed’. Sadly, their appeal fell on deaf ears. For a leader with a clean conscience and listening ears, this was Plateau State speaking. Ignoring or turning a deaf ear to this Godly admonition amounts to what is the position of things today in our State. It appears from all indications that Mr President is prepared to hang on to his decision of not listening to the yearning of the Plateau autochthones, irrespective of the costs, in human lives, properties and the survival of the country. This is sad and unfortunate.
iv. The event of August 14, 2021, characterized by the killing of alleged ‘innocent’ travellers of Ondo State origin, from an acclaimed religious function in Bauchi, on their way back to their State created a situation that further revealed the mindset of northern interest groups, its oligarchy and how the security apparatus has been re-organised against the Plateau autochthones. Ordinarily, we would have been constrained at this juncture, from making any further comments on this matter, on the presumption that the security was on top of the matter, diligently investigating the circumstances surrounding the occurrence of the event. usually after days or weeks of painstaking investigations, the Police would come up with what should be reliable, authentic and convincing statement. Unfortunately, the Plateau State Police Command shot itself on the foot and in the process, presented itself as an interested party rather than a neutral investigator, in the matter.
v. Less than five hours of the incident the Force in a vile, biased, tendentious and highly incriminating statement by its Public Relations Officer, Mr Ubah Gabriel Ogaba, which categorically singled out ‘Irigwe Youths and their mourners’ as the killers of the Ondo travellers. Immediately, the Police statement became public, anti-Plateau media outfits and traditional Plateau haters went wild in unguarded sensationalism. The public space has since become inundated and over saturated, with all manner of threats, abuses and curses on Plateau and its autochthones. Notable clerics such as Alkali Abubakar in his media release even had the audacity to call us ‘Arna Plateau’. We wish to summarily note however, as follows: a. Firstly, it appears the State Police Commissioner, has transformed the State Police Command, into a world class effective machinery in investigative excellence. For the ability to identify and profile the killers of the Ondo State travellers, at Rukuba road, in less than five hours, is no mean achievement. We are however, worried that the killings of equally innocent Irigwe natives preceded the Rukuba road event from July 23 to August 2, 2021, and also the 5 persons killed in Tafi-Gana on the 16 August 2021; and the Yelwa Zangam Killings of over 36 Anaguta persons in Jos-North have not received similar attention. Should we then assume that the lives of these people were not innocent enough to attract the professional attention of the Plateau State Police Command to deploy their investigative excellence to identify and equally profile the ethnic background of their killers?.
b. Immediately the Rukuba road event occurred, arrests were made, (though very much aware that most of the suspects hurriedly arrested knew nothing on the event). That arrests were made at all indicates that the security community in Plateau is living to its bidding. We are however shocked that days after the killing of the ‘innocent’ Ondo travellers, reprisal killings have persisted, yet no arrests have been made of the killers. Is the professional efficiency of the security agencies in detection, arrest and ethnic profiling of killers, effective only when Fulani Muslims are killed?
c. In June, 2010, over 500 lives were wasted in one night in Demburuk (Dogo Na Hauwa) village, of Foron District in Barkin Ladi LGA. This is minus those killed in Mai-Idon Taro, and Kugot in Fan District, of the same Local Government. To the best of our knowledge, up to now not a single arrest has been made. In his reaction to that event, the late Sale Bayari (a Fulani Man) was said to have callously stated that, ‘some people had to die’. Perhaps this position influenced Police official reaction, as there was no investigation and no arrest.
d. Between January and August 2021, over 50 people were killed in Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Jos South LGAs. Our Communique of 3rd July 2021 listed the names of 34 persons killed by Fulani Killer Herdsmen. Were these victims not innocent enough to be honoured in death with a profile of their killers?
e. Irigwe villages were under sustained attack, by Fulani terrorists, for a week, with no intervention from the OPSH, Police and the 3rd Armoured Division Barracks, a stone-throw from the villages. Much shocking, when the military men finally arrived the scenes of attack, they only stood and watched, claiming they had no orders to intervene. One wonders, the function of the OPSH in Plateau, if its operatives would have to wait for authorization to intervene, in cases of extreme threat to life and property.
f. On the contrary, hours of the outbreak of killings at Rukuba road, the Commander of the OPSH, Police Commissioner and top brass of other security agencies, were immediately on ground, thus clearly giving a clear picture of preferential treatment. Equally worth noting is the prompt and urgency in the State Government and the Presidency’s approach towards the rehabilitation of the injured, a radical departure from the usual display of cluelessness and insensitivity, towards our own people.
Our Demands;
We demand justice, fairness and equity in the handling of the all cases of attacks in all communities in Plateau State from both the Federal and State Government and their security agencies. All those in Police custody should have their cases quickly assessed and those not guilty be promptly released while those found guilty should be charged to court for fair hearing and early adjudication of their cases.
We call on the Government to strengthen security around the University of Jos and its environs so as restore confidence of the public in keeping their wards in the University. We specially wish to request that a Mobile Police outstation be established adjacent the Student Village Hostel gate to provide security to the Student Village Hostel in particular and the University Community in general.
We are also calling on the governments at both Federal and State Levels to relocate all the internally displaced persons in the LGAs of Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Bokkos and Jos-South to their ancestral land and provide adequate security.
We wish to remind all interest groups especially those claiming to represent Arewa interest to understand that Plateau is equally in the northern part of the Country and we shall not take kindly to people calling us names and issuing threats to the Plateau autochthones when we are very much aware of their hidden agenda which is inimical to the Plateau heritage and the collective interest of the autochthones. Anybody who mean well for Plateau State will definitely accord the autochthones respect for their heritage and Political autonomy.
We equally call on religious leaders and their organizations to understand that the three key religions in the Country namely Christianity, Islam and Traditional worshipping have adherents of their faith on the Plateau and the leaders should be mindful of their utterances so as not to destroy the cordial relationship that exist among their followers.
We wish to let the Northern oligarchy and Arewa interest groups know that we have never denied the fact that we are part of the North. Our struggle has been to maintain our cherished heritage and political autonomy and to exist as autonomous partners and not to be subservient to any body or group. This has been the position of our forefathers and founders of Plateau and has remained non-negotiable. We hope you will respect our position and work with us as equal partners towards achieving the much needed peace and development in the North.
Finally, we have provided quality information to educate the public on the wrangling and on-going killings in the State and to enable the Government at all levels to take steps to address the lapses enumerated so as to improve the peace of all citizens in the State.
Col SG Fwangje rtd, fss, mss, psc, Barden Mangu and Rimin Langai has commensurated with the Government and good People of Plateau State over the unfortunate attacks that claimed lives and immeasurable destruction of property across the state within the last one month. Col SG Fwangje (Rtd) made this known during an interaction with journalist in Jos the Plateau State Capital. He particularly sympathized with the families of those who lost their lives and property in the unfortunate incidents in Bassa, Riyom, Jos South and Jos North LGAs and prayed God to comfort them.
Col Fwangje (Rtd) used the opportunity to appreciate the Chief of Defence Staff General Lucky Irabo, who is his Course mate, a member of 34 Regular Course, for coming to Jos for an on-the-spot assessment of the security efforts in containing the situation.
The retired senior military officer who is also a double cap Chief further stressed that the merging of the 3 Division of the Nigerian Army Maxwell Khobe Cantonment and the Operation Safe Haven is a well-conceived idea and aimed at providing adequate responses in times of attacks. He said the General Officer Commanding 3 Division who doubles as the Commander Operation Safe Haven, Major Gen. Ibrahim Ali is a disciplined, well trained and professional Army Officer who will discharge his duties of restoring peace and security in the Joint Operation Area creditably well if given the required support and cooperation.
Col SG Fwangje specially commended the Executive Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency Rt Hon (Dr) Simon Bako Lalong KSGG for his resilience, and steadfastness in the face of most difficult security situation in Plateau State. He urged all stakeholders to support the Government to achieve the needed peace and stability in Plateau State. He called on citizens to be security conscious and alert at all times, and report any suspicious movements or persons to security operatives to help achieve incremental peace in Plateau State.
Freelance Reporters 