Christian lawyers urge govt to rebuild Churches, homes destroyed during crisis

The wanton lost of lives, burning of Churches, properties and the forceful takeover of ancestral lands belonging to natives Plateau indigenes have gained the attention of Christian Lawyers, who are demanding justice from government.

They call on Plateau State Government to take practical steps in rebuilding burnt Churches by assailants and resetting those whom have been forcefully driven away from their ancestral homes was communicated to newsmen on Monday in a press briefing by Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON), held in Jos.

“The Plateau State Government should take steps to reach out to innocent victims of this crisis. Government should compensate the victims and families of those killed in the crisis as well as pay the medical bills of those injured and restore the Churches, homes and family properties destroyed during the crisis”, they said.

However, speaking at the briefing, the Chairman Plateau State chapter of CLASFON, Mr. Pamark Mark Lere said that communities in Barkin-Ladi, Riyom, Bassa, Mangu, Jos-South and parts of Jos North Local Government Areas have been under intense attacks by armed Fulani herdsmen, where over 1000 persons, mostly women, children and the aged have been killed,

others maimed and wounded, houses and properties destroyed, looted, while several villages and communities forcefully taken over by and currently under the control of the marauding Fulani herdsmen despite the huge presence of security operatives stationed in the areas of the attacks.

Mr Lere said in over 95 percent of the attacks and killings perpetrated, the marauders have escaped without being apprehended.

CLASFON however demand that both the federal and state government as a matter of urgent attention safeguard the safety of lives and property in line with the mandate spelt out by the constitution.

“Government must take proactive steps in other to ensure continuous spate of violence and needless waste of human lives is halted by arresting the criminal elements perpetrating the acts of violence and bringing them to face the full wrath of the law.

“Government must ensure that members of indigenous communities who have been sacked by Fulani herdsmen and their lands taken over by the Fulani bandits restored back to their communities”, Lere said.