A coalition of Fulani groups in Plateau State on Sunday comprising Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Gan Allah Fulani Development Association of Nigeria (GAFDAN), Bajoil Fulani, Jonde Jam Kautal Hore and Lawul Fulaku, said it had lost 350 members between October, 2023 and January, 2024 in the state.
The coalition also claimed that it lost 834 cattle within the said period in various communities of Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu LGAs of the state.
This is the first time the leadership of the Fulani communities has come out to voice their apprehension over the recent attacks and killings in the villages of Bokkos and Barikin Ladi LGAs, where over 190 persons were killed.
The groups, in a press conference, led by State Chairman of MACBAN, in Jos, Malam Nura Adullahi, said members of the Fulani living in various communities were being molested, maltreated, intimidated, and in many cases killed.
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Abdullahi said, “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 neighborhood states such as Bauchi ,Kaduna , Nasarawa and Taraba.”
He stated that household properties worth billions of naira were also lost during the carnage, adding that the entire Fulani communities were displaced from eight districts including Mangu, Panyam, Pushit, Kerang, Bwoi, Kombun, Ampang and Mangum.
According to him, 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, Wushik, among others.
The chairman disclosed that all the atrocities committed against them were in the records of security agencies in the state.
However, the groups called on all their members to remain calm and refrain from taking the law into their own hands, urging security agencies to investigate the recent happenings and ensure justice.
