The Berom Youths Moulder-Association (BYM) and Forum of Bokkos Development Association say there is an attempt by the Coalition of Fulani groups to cover, confuse, misdirect and downplay the barbaric and dastardly massacre which which took place in parts of Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu LGAs of Plateau State
on Christmas Eve.
They recalled that the so called Fulani groups had last weekend alleged that 350 of their people were killed also from October to December 2023 and their cows rustled.
The BYM National President Barr. Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri and Chairman Forum of Bokkos Community Development Association Mr Philip Julson while reacting to the Fulani allegations during a Press Conference at the NUJ Press Centre Jos, discribed the claims of the Fulanis as baseless an attempt to downplay the heinous crime by the bandits.
“The attention of the Berom Youths Moulder-Association (BYM) the Forum of Bokkos Development Association and the Mwagavwul Youths Movement has been drawn to a press release credited to the Coalition of Fulani Groups in Plateau State in which a wide range of claims and allegations were made against the people of Barkin Ladi Bokkos and Mangu LGAs as well as the Government of Plateau State.
“Ordinarily, this Press Release would have passed without a single comment from us, but for the fear that the unsuspecting public and indeed the International Community would have been misled into believing that the barbaric and dastardly massacre on 2023 Christmas Eve was justified as revenge mission as adduced by the so-called Coalition
“The concocted, illogical and fictitious Press Release issued on the 7th day of January was just an attempt to cover, confuse, misdirect and downplay the heinous crime committed by their militia men
“By the misleading account of the so-called Coalition, how can this be true that a total number of 8 Districts have suddenly risen against the Fulani or their purported number of cattle herds without any justification?”
They urged the group to be honest enough to tell the world the truth of what happened by admitting that they organised the criminal act carried out by their terrorists
The Community Leaders groups described the statement issued by the Fulani groups last weekend as mischievous while brandishing imaginary human figure with the aim of swinging the views of the public away from their evil act against humanity.
“It should however be understood that their Press Release is aimed at fuelling their propaganda machine and to probably divert attention from the magnitude of their heinous crime as well shield them from exposure for who they truly are.
They wondered how on earth will over 350 Fulanis killed, and thousands of their cattle rustled and will not speak out ever since and waited until January 7th for a so-called Coalition to make a Press Release on their behalf.
“Who on Earth will ever believe this? Is this not a diversionary tactics from the heinous crime of Christmas Eve killings and plunder that claimed 257 aside from 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 and land acquisitions in this 21st Century, where constitutionalism, civilization are the hallmarks of modern society.
“We are abundantly aware that Government at all levels has been concerned and making deliberate efforts to bring relief and succour to victims of terror attacks and not to support aggressors, militants and bandits or their collaborators.
“To make things worse, the fictitious and propagandist statistics make the whole claims and allegations laughable.
“For the avoidance of doubt, here is what is established, and can be verified by all and sundry about the Christmas-Eve massacre that occurred in 39 villages of Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu LGAs; Barkin Ladi: 19 people killed, 6 injured, 2851 displaced aside homes and other valuables destroyed in 3 villages attacked.
In Bokkos: 187 were killed, over 100 were injured, and over 15, 231 displaced from 31 villages raided and in Mangu: 52 were killed, and over 1900 were displaced from 4 villages completely overran.
“Our singular prayer is for the Government to halt Fulani militants from raiding our Hamlets and Villages, killing our people and displacing as well as disrupting our livelihoods. Their sponsors and networks within and outside Nigeria should be burst while the perpetrators and local accomplices are brought to justice.
“Permit us at this juncture to unequivocally state that, our people are at the receiving end of Fulani terror orchestrated and unleashed through their militia men, local and International collaborators. The will of the Nigerian State and Government is, indeed on trial as to whether these terrorists would go unchecked or whether Security agents will rise to the occasion to guarantee the safety of lives and property of citizens in this country”
The Youths community leaders however called on their people to remain very vigilant and ready to defend themselves if they have to undergo the circumstances they have found ourselves.