Part of Irigwe land in Plateau North Senatorial district of Bassa local government area was recently enveloped in violence, killings and maiming unleashed by suspected herders. MUHAMMAD TANKO SHITTU re-visits the situations
Peaceful Plateau
Nearly three years into Governor Simon Lalong’s, administration of Plateau State, the people have been enjoying relative peaceful . The state has operated under a calm atmosphere, until about a few weeks some ago, when the ugly development of chilling attacks and counter attacks that left dozens of people killed, from both the Fulani herdsmen and the Irigwe sides occurred.
Bloody attack
It all started from an attack and alleged killings and beheading of a herder, at Dan Tanko, village in August, 2017, thereafter, an attack on Ncha village followed, on the September 7, 2017, where about 20 Irigwe people were killed, six series of attacks and killings had occurred and with the October 15, 2017 attack, killing and alleged beheading of another six herders at Kuri village, as well as subsequent attack and killing of 29 Irigwe People, on October 16, 2017, bringing it to a total of 68 lives that were lost on both sides. And of course, with both sides accusing each other of masterminding the killings.
In a separate but related development four other persons, including a soldier were killed at Barkin Ladi local government also of the Northern Senatorial district.
Curfew
In each of the killings the state Governor, Simon Lalong, took one action or the other, including a dusk to dawn curfew imposed on the state, to curtail the situation. It also took further measures by calling the warring factions to security meetings alongside the Operation Save Haven (OPHS), aimed at reaching a peaceful resolution, however, such actions by the state government and the peace meetings are unfortunately yielding no positive results, as the violent situations was on the increase.
President Muhammadu Buhari
Disturbed by the recurrence of the violence in the hitherto; celebrated relative peace in the State, President Muhammadu Buhari, expressed concerned, describing the incidents as, “madness gone too far,” and further directed security agencies to ensure end to the madness.
While on his part Governor Lalong, keeps harping on the course of peace from all and sundry.
Herders’ claim
The Plateau State Chapter of, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), has debunked allegations saying it wasn’t the herders that attacked and killed the Irigwes, and further claimed that it was; “dismayed over the killings and beheading of six innocent Fulani cattle rearers on Sunday October 15, 2017 by the Irigwe militia in Kuri village of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau state.”
The herders in a press conference by the state Chairman of MACBAN, Malam Nura Abdullahi, also alleged complicity on the side of a section of the media and security agents, stressing; “We also observed the in-balanced in reporting the incident by the media, where they neglected and refused to interview or contact the Fulani community to capture the killings of the six deceased, 40 sheep and nine cows machete to dead and the 232 rustled cows by the Irigwe militia.”
He said the sector 6 commander of the OPHS, as well as the divisional police officer in charge of Bassa local government area, had witnessed the evacuation and burial of the beheaded herders, and their killed animals, adding that his people are peace loving, calling on Plateau state government and security operatives to investigate, fish out the killers and take necessary action that will stop future re-occurrence.
He said despite reporting the matter to the security agents no arrest was made, “as if we did not reported anything.” He said.
He told journalists that they are undergoing series of activities to make sure that peaceful coexistence is restored in the state at large, not only a section of it, “… I was discussing with the Director General of the state peace agency that we should collaborate with other NGOs to see how we can dialogue and sensitize the people in particular instance to with Bassa local government area.”
Irigwe claims
On their part, the Irigwe community also denied that their people killed, beheaded the herders, rustled and killed some of their animals.
National president of the Irigwe Community Development Association, Hon. Sunday Abdu, said while fielding questions from a press conference that; “Fulani herders are faceless and how can you see them and killed them.”
He said that the several attack on their people by the; “Fulani herdsmen,” have resulted to the killings of 60 Irigwes with “houses razed, leaving in their wake, tears, sorrow and despair. It is painful to note that all these happened despite useful timely information provided to security personnel, regarding movement and mode of operation of the assailants,” to Security operatives.
Abdu, further stated that while the attacks continued in sequence no single attacker has been arrested by security agents, despite them giving out information on, “handset found on the ground during the attack,” but that the security operatives rather arrest and detain helpless natives on suspicion of possessing any form of weapon for self defence.
“Since the outbreak of these orchestrated attacks aimed at wiping our people from the face of the earth, we have held series of meetings with various stakeholders including security and the Fulani, but the Fulani have continue to be in denial of sponsoring these attacks, nothing has changed,” he said.
Abdu, said the dusk to dawn curfew imposed by the State Government and the deployment of Security, was viewed as a relief, “but not knowing that it will yet, open another avenue for the Fulani attackers to operate unhindered, while our people are caged by the curfew, which the security men enforce religiously.”
He said: “As we speak, a humanitarian situation looms in our land, as women and children have been displaced, while feeding is becoming impossible in homes that have accepted internal refugees. And this has spilled into Jos, where women and children stream in to find refuge with relations.”
They accused the men of Operation Save Haven, of laxity in their duty.
Police response
The Plateau State Police Command, had confirmed the incidents, saying the Force Headquarters had donated a helicopter to carry out air surveillance in the area, Public Relations Officer, ASP Tyopev Terna, told journalists that; “And the Police Commissioner has posted three units of Mobile Police force to intensify patrol and to make sure that attacks on the area are not carried out.”
But when asked to confirm the herders claimed, ASP Terna said: “… I don’t want to be particular about what Miyyety Allah, said and their loss, you know when so many lives were lost it arouses so many passion, so I wouldn’t want to dwell so much on what they are claiming that has happened, but I have received a signal from the Police divisional officer, that people were killed at a village call Nkyie Doghwro, 27 of them were killed and were buried in accordance with the Irigwe tradition and Islamic religion.” “While People lost their lives, in there I wouldn’t want to emphasize on the lost,” ASP Terna, added.
Operation Save Haven response
The Joint Security taskforce of the Operation Save Haven (OPHS), confirmed the killings and beheading of the herders, as well as that of the Irigwe People, but further denied taken side with any of the warring factors in it.
The OPSH Commander Major General, Anthony Atolagbe, who refuted that allegations during a media briefing said they have not sided with the Fulani during the recent attacks on the villages of Bassa Local Government in Plateau state.
He stated that there was no reason his men would take side, because its mandate was to protect the lives and properties not to abet killings.
“We can’t take side, since I have been in this operation, we have started doing a lot of things. We have stakeholders meeting at OPSH headquarters and at the sectors level in order to promote peace and avoid crisis, there is a compulsory two times stakeholders meeting every week,” he stressed.
Maj-General Atolagbe said: “We asked the people to go to the school and when the shooting started, some people were shouting, the soldiers said let them go and drive them away, 12 of our men were guarding the school, they went after the attackers and drive them away, but before my men come back some attackers came and killed them in the school.”
He said some herders were beheaded, adding that since their leaders have addressed the press he don’t want to give figures, because he was not taken brief on their behalf, he added that it took place before the killings of the 22 people inside a primary school at Nkiedonwhro village of Irigwe Chiefdom.
He said after the attacks, “own troops were deployed in groups and even introduced motorcycle squads called Special Forces who were trained outside this country to patrol the areas and prevent future attacks.”
He denied that his men called attackers to killed women and children in the primary school.
In the bid to return Plateau state to normalcy, while the herders are demanding for return of seven heads of their people along with the rustled cattle, the Irigwes are demanding for adequate protection of their people. Surely, only peaceful coexistence can make life worth living in Plateau state. All hands must therefore be on deck to restore peace to Plateau.
‘Tears, blood, soorrow on the Plateau’
Peaceful Plateau
Nearly three years into Governor Simon Lalong’s, administration of Plateau State, the people have been enjoying relative peaceful . The state has operated under a calm atmosphere, until about a few weeks some ago, when the ugly development of chilling attacks and counter attacks that left dozens of people killed, from both the Fulani herdsmen and the Irigwe sides occurred.
Bloody attack
It all started from an attack and alleged killings and beheading of a herder, at Dan Tanko, village in August, 2017, thereafter, an attack on Ncha village followed, on the September 7, 2017, where about 20 Irigwe people were killed, six series of attacks and killings had occurred and with the October 15, 2017 attack, killing and alleged beheading of another six herders at Kuri village, as well as subsequent attack and killing of 29 Irigwe People, on October 16, 2017, bringing it to a total of 68 lives that were lost on both sides. And of course, with both sides accusing each other of masterminding the killings.
In a separate but related development four other persons, including a soldier were killed at Barkin Ladi local government also of the Northern Senatorial district.
Curfew
In each of the killings the state Governor, Simon Lalong, took one action or the other, including a dusk to dawn curfew imposed on the state, to curtail the situation. It also took further measures by calling the warring factions to security meetings alongside the Operation Save Haven (OPHS), aimed at reaching a peaceful resolution, however, such actions by the state government and the peace meetings are unfortunately yielding no positive results, as the violent situations was on the increase.
President Muhammadu Buhari
Disturbed by the recurrence of the violence in the hitherto; celebrated relative peace in the State, President Muhammadu Buhari, expressed concerned, describing the incidents as, “madness gone too far,” and further directed security agencies to ensure end to the madness.
While on his part Governor Lalong, keeps harping on the course of peace from all and sundry.
Herders’ claim
The Plateau State Chapter of, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), has debunked allegations saying it wasn’t the herders that attacked and killed the Irigwes, and further claimed that it was; “dismayed over the killings and beheading of six innocent Fulani cattle rearers on Sunday October 15, 2017 by the Irigwe militia in Kuri village of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau state.”
The herders in a press conference by the state Chairman of MACBAN, Malam Nura Abdullahi, also alleged complicity on the side of a section of the media and security agents, stressing; “We also observed the in-balanced in reporting the incident by the media, where they neglected and refused to interview or contact the Fulani community to capture the killings of the six deceased, 40 sheep and nine cows machete to dead and the 232 rustled cows by the Irigwe militia.”
He said the sector 6 commander of the OPHS, as well as the divisional police officer in charge of Bassa local government area, had witnessed the evacuation and burial of the beheaded herders, and their killed animals, adding that his people are peace loving, calling on Plateau state government and security operatives to investigate, fish out the killers and take necessary action that will stop future re-occurrence.
He said despite reporting the matter to the security agents no arrest was made, “as if we did not reported anything.” He said.
He told journalists that they are undergoing series of activities to make sure that peaceful coexistence is restored in the state at large, not only a section of it, “… I was discussing with the Director General of the state peace agency that we should collaborate with other NGOs to see how we can dialogue and sensitize the people in particular instance to with Bassa local government area.”
Irigwe claims
On their part, the Irigwe community also denied that their people killed, beheaded the herders, rustled and killed some of their animals.
National president of the Irigwe Community Development Association, Hon. Sunday Abdu, said while fielding questions from a press conference that; “Fulani herders are faceless and how can you see them and killed them.”
He said that the several attack on their people by the; “Fulani herdsmen,” have resulted to the killings of 60 Irigwes with “houses razed, leaving in their wake, tears, sorrow and despair. It is painful to note that all these happened despite useful timely information provided to security personnel, regarding movement and mode of operation of the assailants,” to Security operatives.
Abdu, further stated that while the attacks continued in sequence no single attacker has been arrested by security agents, despite them giving out information on, “handset found on the ground during the attack,” but that the security operatives rather arrest and detain helpless natives on suspicion of possessing any form of weapon for self defence.
“Since the outbreak of these orchestrated attacks aimed at wiping our people from the face of the earth, we have held series of meetings with various stakeholders including security and the Fulani, but the Fulani have continue to be in denial of sponsoring these attacks, nothing has changed,” he said.
Abdu, said the dusk to dawn curfew imposed by the State Government and the deployment of Security, was viewed as a relief, “but not knowing that it will yet, open another avenue for the Fulani attackers to operate unhindered, while our people are caged by the curfew, which the security men enforce religiously.”
He said: “As we speak, a humanitarian situation looms in our land, as women and children have been displaced, while feeding is becoming impossible in homes that have accepted internal refugees. And this has spilled into Jos, where women and children stream in to find refuge with relations.”
They accused the men of Operation Save Haven, of laxity in their duty.
Police response
The Plateau State Police Command, had confirmed the incidents, saying the Force Headquarters had donated a helicopter to carry out air surveillance in the area, Public Relations Officer, ASP Tyopev Terna, told journalists that; “And the Police Commissioner has posted three units of Mobile Police force to intensify patrol and to make sure that attacks on the area are not carried out.”
But when asked to confirm the herders claimed, ASP Terna said: “… I don’t want to be particular about what Miyyety Allah, said and their loss, you know when so many lives were lost it arouses so many passion, so I wouldn’t want to dwell so much on what they are claiming that has happened, but I have received a signal from the Police divisional officer, that people were killed at a village call Nkyie Doghwro, 27 of them were killed and were buried in accordance with the Irigwe tradition and Islamic religion.” “While People lost their lives, in there I wouldn’t want to emphasize on the lost,” ASP Terna, added.
Operation Save Haven response
The Joint Security taskforce of the Operation Save Haven (OPHS), confirmed the killings and beheading of the herders, as well as that of the Irigwe People, but further denied taken side with any of the warring factors in it.
The OPSH Commander Major General, Anthony Atolagbe, who refuted that allegations during a media briefing said they have not sided with the Fulani during the recent attacks on the villages of Bassa Local Government in Plateau state.
He stated that there was no reason his men would take side, because its mandate was to protect the lives and properties not to abet killings.
“We can’t take side, since I have been in this operation, we have started doing a lot of things. We have stakeholders meeting at OPSH headquarters and at the sectors level in order to promote peace and avoid crisis, there is a compulsory two times stakeholders meeting every week,” he stressed.
Maj-General Atolagbe said: “We asked the people to go to the school and when the shooting started, some people were shouting, the soldiers said let them go and drive them away, 12 of our men were guarding the school, they went after the attackers and drive them away, but before my men come back some attackers came and killed them in the school.”
He said some herders were beheaded, adding that since their leaders have addressed the press he don’t want to give figures, because he was not taken brief on their behalf, he added that it took place before the killings of the 22 people inside a primary school at Nkiedonwhro village of Irigwe Chiefdom.
He said after the attacks, “own troops were deployed in groups and even introduced motorcycle squads called Special Forces who were trained outside this country to patrol the areas and prevent future attacks.”
He denied that his men called attackers to killed women and children in the primary school.
In the bid to return Plateau state to normalcy, while the herders are demanding for return of seven heads of their people along with the rustled cattle, the Irigwes are demanding for adequate protection of their people. Surely, only peaceful coexistence can make life worth living in Plateau state. All hands must therefore be on deck to restore peace to Plateau.
