
Map of Plateau State
By YUSUF IDEGU, Jos –
A sociocultural organisation known as Plateau Our Heritage (POH) has described as irresponsible on the side of the state government, the continouse killings of citizens of the state without any form of defence from government.
The group, while reacting to the attacks by unknown gunmen on some communities in Bassa and Riyom LGAs, where 17 people were killed in cold blood, said such killing only happened where government failed in its primary responsibilities.
In a statement signed by chairman of the group, Hon Alex Kwapnoe, it said, “We in the Plateau Our Heritage group, POH, are totally disappointed with the body language of the government at all levels on the war that has been declared on our people with no form of attempts to halt it”
The group noted that “Government at all levels are instituded for the major responsibility of protecting its citizens, in this instant, government has incompetently failed its people”
The statement read, “It has been witnessed in recent times, that apart from the daily, kidnappings, killings in Jos city and plateau lands, the enemies have deviced another plot by engaging in the decimation of unripe farm crops with the government at local govt and state paying irrelevant lip service as usual.
“We are further worried over the unabated attacks which point to the fact that the government and its agencies are either overwhelmed or are in support of the ongoing carnage in the communities; especially in Miango, Bassa, Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Jos south and Bokkos LGAs axis with no arrests of any sort, even when victims have said it times without number; that their tormentors are sponsored and fully armed herdsmen.
“The sophistication the attackers employ during attacks are indeed, something to worry about but since government is in place to provide solutions to these security challenges, the people have remained calm with the hope that the government is on ground to its responsibilities.
“The attack irigwe village – bothering the Rukuba Barracks-which started around 7pm lasted for over four hours unhindered and undistracted had over 250 houses razed down from villages of Zanwra to near Kpatenvie (Jebbu-Miango).
“The villages set ablaze are Zanwra, Nche-Tahu, Rikwe-Rishe A and B,Ri-Dogo, Nchu-Nzhwa all under Kpatenvie (Jebbu-Miango) of Kpachudu Community”
‘This is a very disturbing moment for the Irigwe chiefdom which has continued to bear the brunt alone with the governments it also voted for turning a blind eye to their cry and sufferings”
POH described such attacks as unaceptable. “This aggression is a clear violation of the universal protocol and can also be classified as genocide against the minority tribes on the Plateau; who have a right to live and participate in all forms of legitimate pursuits and this is not acceptable to the POH and the good people of Plateau State.
“A situation where over 40 hectres of farmlands with variety of crops completely destroyed beyond resurrection and growth; is a delicate matter that is delibrately employed to not only impoverished the state and its citizens; but to intimidate and or exterminate them through hunger and violence”
POH, therefore, challenged government to either do the needful and save the situation by directing security agencies to go after the attackers, arrest them and bring them to justice.
It also urged government to urgently take inventory of the destructions of both human and farm resources with a view of sending them relief materials and compensate them.