Fulani herdsmen sack over 50 communities in Plateau – Group
A youth group under the aegis of Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM), in Plateau on Thursday said Fulani herdsmen have sacked over 50 communities in Plateau since 2001 till date.
Speaking at a news conference in Jos, President of the Association, Mr. Choji Dalyop Chuwang, said government should intervene by reclaiming the communities that had been forcefully occupied by some of the killer herdsmen.
“This is evident in Barkin Ladi and Riyom LGA: this we can affirm because the current herdsmen in those areas are not the ones that had lived among us previously.
“Our people have been traumatized, several killed and properties destroyed to make them flee their ancestral homes which are now being occupied by the same terrorists’ herdsmen.
“It is on record that 54 communities such as Dankum (now renamed as Mahanga by Fulani), Fass (renamed as Tafawa by Fulani), Janda, Hywa, Rotchun, Rakweng, Shong I and II, Diyan Hei, Pwabeduk, Sharu, Dashugu, Tagabos, Shonong, Maseh, Kampwas, She, Kak, Dajak,Rarin, Kufang, Rantis, Jong, Zim, Lukfine, Lobiring, Angio, and Kachin, among many, were completely sacked and their inhabitants displaced in Riyom and Barkin Ladi LGA.
“It is also confirmed that 93 communities have experienced one form of attack or the other across Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Jos South and Jos North LGAs”, Chuwang said.
The President of the Association also said Plateau does not have land for cattle colonies, adding that the rearing of cattle is a private and personal business which should be left in the hands of the herdsmen to ranch.
“For us as citizens of Plateau State and especially the Northern Senatorial zone, we wish to state in unequivocal terms that we do not have land for cattle colonies: the Governor of Plateau State Barr. Simon Bako Lalong had also stated during an interview with Journalists in Aso Rock Villa, Abuja that he has land that had been voluntarily donated to him by some communities for cattle ranching or colonies: we are very optimistic that he was being frank and since no community has willingly donated land in the Northern zone, we wish to caution that our already overstretched land should not be considered for these business meant to settle foreigners as stated by Federal authorities”.
The Association however sort to know if cattle rearing business is quoted in any stock exchange market in Nigeria or anywhere to warrant so much government interest, it added.
By Kingsley Chukwuka, Jos
