Following the recent bloody violence in Riyom and Barkin Ladi local government areas of Plateau State which claimed over a hundred lives of largely Berom extraction, the military task force issued a 48-hour notice of evacuation of the area to root out the suspects. ACHOR ABIMAJE captures the highlights of events and reservations of the Fulanis.
It took the horrendous death of over a hundred villagers in concerted, carefully planned attacks in Riyom and BarkinLadi local government areas of Plateau State to wake up Nigerians to the potentially dangerous dimensions the protracted Plateau ethno-religious and political crisis is taking.
The latest crisis also claimed the lives of Senator Gyang Dantong and Honourable Giyang Fulani, the former a federal lawmaker and the later a state parliamentarian, both in service.
An angry Senate President David Mark, it will be recalled, stated that the death of Dantong represents the peak of the crises in Plateau state. Speaking during condolence visit to the state, Mark said “The deaths of Dantong and Fulani are unfortunate and regrettable and we only hope that with their death, the crisis in the state has reached its peak and must end.”
It was perhaps against this background of widespread outrage that the Special Task Force (STF) at the instance of the presidency ordered villagers in Mahanga, Kakuruk, Kuzen, Maseh and Shong to leave to give way for an operation to root out terrorists in the specific area.
The development had resulted in strident criticism from activists, while some community leaders in the affected areas vowed to resist the order. The Defence Headquarters subsequently warned that it would not back down from the deadline, thus escalating the tensions.
After initial resistance, thousands of Fulani inhabitants of the target operations zone were moved out and camped at four locations in Riyom and BarkinLadi. According to some analysts, the most remarkable thing about the operation was the speed with which it was concluded.
According to Captain Salihu Mustapha, the military spokesman in Plateau, “The Fulani from four of the five villages vacated for military operations have been asked to go back to their homes following the completion of our operations in the area.”
Residents of Mahanga, a fifth village, will remain in camps while security forces continue their campaign, he further clarified.
At press time however, it was not clear what the operation achieved, or whether any arrests had been made, but Fulani spokesmen have been critical of the military’s strategy, saying it could worsen tensions in the state. A Fulani chief in the Riyom area, ArdoMamuda, said the herdsmen had already resolved to return home, regardless of whether the military consented.
“Residents had already made up their mind for the worst because it is better to face the possibility of a (military) raid than live in such dehumanising conditions in the camps,” he said. Fulani leaders said 10,000 people were forced into the camps, which lacked the most basic necessities.
But for Mahanga Village, the story is different.? The secretary of Plateau State Chapter of Miyettyi Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria Alhaji Mohammed NuraAbdulahitold LEADERSHIP SUNDAY that up till now the Fulani has not been allowed to go back to their village in Mahanga.
It will be recalled that following the evacuation order to Fulani to leave their villages for military operations to be carried out in Karkuruk, Kuzen Song one and two, the fifth village Mahanga the inhabitant up till now were not allowed to return to their area.
He pointed out that after displacing their people for the so called military operation, the military did not recover any weapon from them neither were the militia they claimed to be terrorizing the inhabitant of the area seen. But in a swift reaction the president of Berom Youth Movement (BYM) Francis Jamang told LEADERSHIP-SUNDAY that MACBAN secretary was very economical with the truth.
According to him, the Fulani living in Mahanga village defied STF order and left for their village in Mahanga. In his words, “Some of the Fulani went against the evacuation order given by the special task force and had gone back there.” Abdulahi further said, the Special Task Force on Jos crisis code named Operation Safe Haven should cooperate with them in other to find lasting peace in the area instead of harassing and intimidating their people.
He called on the state government to as a matter of fact rehabilitate his people as over 100 of their houses were burnt down while so many of their cattle were rustled away from the area. The secretary also noted that some public schools in their area has been in a dilapidated stage and needed serious renovation adding that the state government should as a matter of urgency provide social amenities and bring development to the people of the area, he said.
In the same vein, speaking to LEADERSHIP SUNDAY on their level of discoveries during military operation in four villages namely Karkuru, Kuzen, Song one and two the spokesman of STF Captain SalisuMustapher said he cannot disclose their findings for now saying at the end of the Mahanga operation they will tell the world their findings as regards their operation.
According to him the four villages are safe as the military have concluded operations there. He added that was the main reason why the villagers were asked to go back home.
According to him, “We will come up openly and tell Nigerians our findings at the end of the Mahanga operation.” He further denied any knowledge of Fulani going back to Mahanga against STF evacuation order in the state.
Earlier, the special task force had ordered the evacuation of Fulani from their villages for a mop-up operation to flush out suspected terrorist who have been causing mayhem in the area.