Map of Plateau State
By CHRISTIANA LOT, Jos –
The National President of the Mwaghavul Youth Movement, Comrade Kyesmang Jonathan Yusuf, has called on youths across Plateau State and Nigeria to unite against terrorism, describing the series of attacks on the Mwaghavul nation as a fight not just against one ethnic group, but against the Nigerian state itself.
Addressing a press briefing at the NUJ Press Center in Jos on Friday, Yusuf condemned what he described as “the atrocities and false narratives” of Fulani terrorists, warning that the Mwaghavul people will no longer remain passive in the face of coordinated violence.
“Make no mistake to think that the youth of Plateau State and indeed Nigeria are divided on the pain being inflicted on fellow Nigerian youths wherever they may be.
“We feel the pain of one another and will stand shoulder to shoulder to defend our land and country should the security agencies fail to defend us. Self-defense is our constitutional right.” he said
Yusuf reported that since April 2023, over 600 lives have been lost, 6,111 houses destroyed, and more than 30 villages sacked, with over 65,000 people displaced.
He described the Mwaghavul youth as soft targets of the attacks and urged the government to take urgent steps to empower communities to provide the first line of defense for their people and heritage.
He cited recent inflammatory remarks allegedly made by a Fulani leader, the MACBAN chairman of Mangu LGA, and one Bilal Gambo, as evidence of growing threats. “At this point, we will not conclude that the security agencies are still pretending not to have read or heard the threats issued by these terrorists,” Yusuf noted, demanding immediate arrest and prosecution of those inciting violence.
While condemning all acts of criminality, Yusuf urged all Plateau ethnic groups including the Ron, Berom, Irigwe, Afizere, Rukuba, and Attakar to stand united against terrorism. “Our salvation and indeed that of our nation lies in our unity against this evil,” he declared.
He also rejected allegations against Mwaghavul youths over cattle rustling and poisoning, describing them as “cheap blackmail” aimed at justifying attacks. He praised the Kombun District Head, Da Gambo Audu Tetmut, for his role in peacefully returning Fulani cattle during past crises and called on herders to report crimes to security agencies instead of resorting to violence.
The Mwaghavul Youth Movement called on the Nigerian Army to investigate the destruction of crops in Mangu and other areas and insisted that the military maintain an objective stance in protecting all ethnic groups.
Yusuf concluded by urging all Mwaghavul youths to remain peaceful and law-abiding but firm in resisting intimidation. “We also call on youths of all ethnic groups on the Plateau and Nigeria to rise to the occasion of defending their territories. Activities of terrorists are no doubt a fight against the State and not only against the Mwaghavul Nation but against all Nigerians,” he said.
The group expressed gratitude to sympathizers across the state and country and demanded that government provide security, investigate incidents, and prosecute those responsible. “Unity is key to our survival and victory over feudal motives,” Yusuf said. “We will not stand idly by while our people suffer from senseless unpatriotic elements.”
