By Chijioke Kingsley
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – A group under the aegis of Berom Youths Moulder Association (BYM), has faulted the claims by a Fulani group alleging that Fulanis and their cattle also suffered losses during the Christmas eve attack.
The group which jointly held a press conference with the Forum of Bokkos Development Association in Jos on Thursday, said the statement credited to the Coalition of Fulani Groups is not only a mockery but also an indication that they have not sympathised with the State on the killings that have claimed over 200 lives and still counting.
Speaking in a press conference, President of the BYM, Barr. Dalyop Mwantiri, said the Fulani statement is concocted, illogical and fictitious. https://sundiatapost.com/plateau-killings-kadarko-community-begs-state-govt-for-mobile-police-barracks/
“The statement of the Fulanis issued on the 7th day of January was just an attempt to cover, confuse, misdirect and downplay the heinous crimes committed by their bandits. They have shown that 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”, the Plateau group said.
They continued: “By the misleading account of the Fulanis, 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 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. https://sundiatapost.com/plateau-killings-kadarko-community-begs-state-govt-for-mobile-police-barracks/
“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 the Plateau, there are over 102 Hamlets and villages that have been completely sacked and are being occupied by the Fulani.
“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 Fulanis 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-called Coalition to make a Press Release on their behalf.
“Who on Earth will ever believe this? Is this not a diversionary tactic 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?
“Its 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”, a statement also signed by Philip Julson Chairman of Bokkos group said.
The group gave a statistic of lives and properties lost as a result of the Christmas eve attack.
“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
“Bokkos – 187 killed, over 100 injured, over 15, 231 displaced from 31 villages raided.
“Mangu – 52 killed, over 1900 displaced from 4 villages completely overran”, the group said
