Aftermath of gunmen attack: We’ve buried over 100 people, 20,000 displaced in Plateau – Mwaghavul Nation

DANIEL DAUDA, Jos

The ethnic nationality of Mwaghavul Development Association (MDA) in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, said they have buried over 100 death victims of an unprovoked attack perpetrated by gunmen suspected to be Fulani militias.

Recall, the Fulani militias in the early hours of Tuesday 16th May 2023, invaded Fungzai and Kubwat villages in the Kumbun district of Mangu LGA.

Daily Champion gathered that the attack did not end in those areas, rather the assailants further extended their devilish agenda to other surrounding villages in the locality that led to the deaths of many and destruction of houses and properties worth millions of naira.

Narrating their ordeal during a press conference, held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Secretariat Jos the state capital, the National President of Mwaghavul Development Association, Sir Joseph Gwankat revealed that what is happening to them can best be described as genocide.

“Even though we did not take inventory to ascertain the number of people killed because some dead bodies were trapped and dumped in the hole, but I can categorically tell you that we have buried over 125 people.

“About 20 villages were ravaged by Fulani militias as more than 20,000 people were displaced. It is a systematic and deliberate ethnic cleansing of minority tribes in Nigeria and we cannot allow this to continue.

“We are calling on our people to arise and defend themselves, their God-given land and properties with all that they have. We will not leave our land of heritage, this is the only place we can call our own; we have no any other place to run to.

“The humanitarian situation is overwhelming and pathetic. People are either squatting with relatives, or neighbours, in churches and other available public places. They need food, toiletries, medication and places where they can rest their heads”, Gwankat stated.

He recommended that government should take immediate steps towards facilitating the return of all refugees in different IDP camps by constructing their homes and providing security for them as well.

“Government should take over full responsibility of educating children below 10 years who have lost both parents as a result of the conflict, while arrangements made for SS3 students whose WAEC Exams were disrupted.

“We strongly advocate for state policing in all states and communities in Nigeria. Security agencies should build synergy with our community people to secure their families, as the integration of vigilantes and hunters association into the state. Operation Rainbow may assist in information and proper protection of our people.

“Government must create a special court to dispense justice between conflicting communities which will always help in nipping some conflicts before they escalate”

He also acknowledged that NEMA or SEMA must urgently mobilize resources to address the situation of all victims.