A coalition of Fulani groups in Plateau State has said they lost nothing less than 350 members between October 2023 and January 2024.
They also claimed they lost 834 cows within the said period in various communities of Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu local government areas of the state.
The Plateau State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Malam Nura Adullahi in a press release in Jos said that members of the Fulani living in various communities were being molested, maltreated, intimidated, and in many cases killed.
The coalition which comprises MACBAN, Gan Allah Fulani Development Association of Nigeria (GAFDAN), Bajoil Fulani, Jonde Jam Kautal Hore and Lawul Fulaku, said the atrocities committed against the Fulani included the burning down of more than 115 villages, which destroyed properties and food items.
According to the group, household properties worth billions of naira were also lost during the carnage, even as they added that Fulani communities were displaced from eight districts including Mangu, Panyam, Pushit, Kerang, Bwoi, Kombun, Ampang and Mangum.
They said some of the villages where the Fulani communities were displaced include Bwoi, Kombun, Sarfai, Rinago, Jukga, Kuwes, Kaangag, Farinkasa, Kerana, Lugga, Dimeza, Fungong, Gindirin, Gok, Bunghan, Gida, Milet, Rufwang, Dejwak, Lupo, and Wushik.
Nura Adullahi said the atrocities committed against them are in the records of security agencies in the state.
The statement reads:
“It is on record that since 29th of August 2023 to 24th of December 2023, a total of 834 cattle were rustled in Kawel, Rom and Sat in Bokkos and their accomplices from Mangu LGA.
“Early last year, attacking marauders began unleashing their dastardly acts on Fulani communities in Mangu LGA between April 14th and July 15th.
“The atrocities committed against the Fulani included the brutal killing of over 350 individuals and the burning down of more than 115 villages to ashes, resulting in the destruction of all properties and food items.
“A total of 23,515 internally displaced persons IDPs are residing in camps, relatives’ homes and neighboring states such as Bauchi, Kaduna, Nasarawa and Taraba.”
The groups called on all members to remain calm and not take the law into their own hands, even as they urge the security agencies to investigate the recent happenings and ensure justice.
