In a press briefing held by Equity International today, the Country Director, Amb Chris Iyama, addressed the recent spate of violence plaguing Mangu, Bokkos, and several other Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Plateau State. The briefing shed light on the grim reality of the situation, which has claimed the lives of at least 230 innocent people between December 24th, 2023, and January 28th, 2024.
Iyama opened the briefing by expressing profound sorrow over the tragic events that have unfolded in Plateau State. He emphasized the brutality of the attacks, which occurred during a time meant for celebration, with victims including women, children, and even newborn babies ruthlessly slaughtered in their sleep.
The Equity International representative condemned the heinous acts unequivocally, stressing that there could be no justification for such wanton destruction of human life. He lamented the apparent lack of intervention from security agencies during the prolonged assaults, calling for swift action to apprehend the perpetrators and ensure justice is served.
One of the key demands made during the briefing was directed towards government authorities at all levels. Equity International urged for the implementation of measures to enhance security, including the establishment of state police forces to enable governors to respond more effectively to security challenges.
Furthermore, the organization called for immediate steps to compensate affected communities for the loss of lives, property, and farmlands. The destruction of farmlands, in particular, poses a significant threat to food security in the region, given that the affected areas are major agricultural hubs.
Of particular concern to Equity International is the apparent targeting of Christian communities and churches in the attacks, which they view as a deliberate attempt to destabilize the region. They warned against the escalation of violence and called for heightened protection of vulnerable populations by security agencies.
Despite previous visits by federal government officials and security chiefs to the affected areas, little progress has been made in restoring security. Equity International expressed disappointment at the lack of tangible outcomes from these visits and urged for more concerted efforts to address the root causes of the violence.
In addition to the statement from Equity International, Comrade Sunday D. Dankaka, the National President of the Mwaghavul Youth Movement, provided firsthand accounts of the situation in Mangu. Dankaka criticized the military for making unsubstantiated claims about the events in Mangu LGA and called for a thorough investigation into the incidents.
“We are here to tell the world that Ebenezer Caleb, the person that the military alleged is dead, is not true as he is standing here and the military have not called anyone to find out what transpired but went on to make their own assertions” Dankaka Said
He refuted claims made by the military regarding the trigger for the violence and provided statistics detailing the extent of the devastation in Mangu, including casualties, injuries, and property damage. He recounted the from the 22nd of January till date the total number of Deaths in Mangu to be 91 including 42 women, 37 children and 12 Men, with about 158 injured and receiving treatment in 8 different hospitals with 114 houses burnt, 202 shops burnt and looted with about 9 mosques and 15 Churches affected by the recent violence in Mangu LGA.
Other community representatives who spoke at the press conference, including Zugumtu Manessah Bitrus, whose father was killed, Jenet Fedelis, and the motorcyclist Ebenezer Caleb, provided eyewitness accounts detailing the harrowing attacks perpetrated by herders, resulting in the destruction of most of their communities. Their testimonies underscored the widespread impact of the violence and highlighted the urgent need for protection and support for affected individuals and communities.
As tensions continue to escalate in Plateau State, the calls for urgent action from both civil society organizations and local leaders grow louder. The need for a comprehensive and coordinated response to address the underlying issues driving the conflict has never been more pressing.
