…..Deserted villages now grazing field by Fulani herdsmen
From Jude Dangwam, Jos
The National President of Mwagavul Development Association (MDA) Chief Joseph Gwankat (KSM) has disclosed that no fewer than 204 persons were killed as at July 7th, 2023 by suspected Fulani Militias across 53 villages of Mangu Local Government of Plateau State.
He said deserted Villages due to the attacks by the Fulani militia has now became a grazing fields for the Fulani herders, clearing every green crops on farms in the villages.
Gwangkat stated this on Saturday during a press conference held at the NUJ Secretariat in Jos the Plateau State Capital.
“Our villages deserted due to the attacks by the Fulani militia have become grazing fields for the
Fulani herders. The villages attacked by Fulani terrorist herdsmen based on districts as of 7th July 2023 we have a total of 53 attacked villages.”
The President explained that in Bwai District: “Murish, Dungmunan, Kubat, Tim Naanle, Pil, Fungzai, Manja, and Chisu had 70 people killed. Kombun District: Fungkipang, Nting, 5 people killed.
“Mangu District: Jwaktumbi, Kantoma, Mangul, Alohom 1, Alohom 2, Gongon, Dan Hausa,
Kikyau 1 and 2, Gudum, Tyop, Kwaskipanleng, Gaude, Bure, and Ntam, 70 people killed.”
He further said the attackers sent 30 precious souls to their early graves in Panyam where “Changal, Kombili, Washna, Jwak Chom, Larkas, Fushi, Kwahas, Dangdai, Atuhun, Adep, Ajing, Daika, Dikong, Lakopal, Kogul, and Niyes, 30 people killed.”
While in Pushit District; “Lakasi , Gwet 2, Gwet 1, Mutong, Keptul, Gung, Pyantuhul, Kus Hi, Nbwor,
Vodni, Pwaskop, and Nten” communities were attacked and 17 people were killed with 8 in Kerang District from Konji community. Meanwhile in Bungha District, Jwak Raas community was attacked and no life was lost.
The President further stated that two women were attacked and killed recently, “Let us place it on record that on Wednesday 5th July, two (2) women were attacked and killed in Mper and Millet in Kombun District. The following day Thursday, 6th July, 2023, there was an attack on Kogul and Five (5) persons were killed, thereafter, the attackers advanced on Niyes killing two (2) persons.
Kwangkat called on the Federal Government to “declare MACBAN a terrorist organisation because of the heinous crimes that it’s members are perpetrating in various parts of Nigeria. It is in the public domain that MACBAN has been hiring foreign mercenaries to attack communities, including ours,” he allegedly stated.
“These callous and unwarranted killings infuriated the youths who spontaneously pursued the attackers in self-defence. One thing we cannot afford to do is to fold our arms and watch our villages being overrun by terrorists and our people being killed by the same terrorists,” the president stated.