A human rights organization under the umbrella of Para-Mallam Peace Foundation (PMPF) on Friday, recounted how the Christmas Eve attacks in some local government areas of Plateau State was orchestrated.
The rights group said only one woman who fell into a ditch while scampering for safety was left to narrate the gory story of how a nine year old pupil in Chriang village identified as Regard Yusuf, was manipulated by the terrorists to disclose his mother’s hideout, along with 23 other women during the vicious attacks in Mangur, Bokkos, but was later butchered by the merchants of death despite promises that they will spare his life.
The interment of 21 peasants murdered this morning around 2:00 am. In Batin village , Barkin Ladi. Rev Ezekiel Dachomo is bawling his eyes out. Look at that pitiful rain-soaked grave, they don’t have money for coffins. Our security alert notified Operation Safe Haven this attack was coming 4+ hours earlier. An undisclosed number of military showed up within 15 minutes. There was a furious fire fight for 3 hours. But did the soldiers actually shoot at the attackers or was it a ruse??? There were No terrorist killed or wounded. The army usually sends a paltry number of riflemen to face sometimes hundreds of Fulani terrorists. The evidence we have suggests they don’t fire their rifles at the terrorists.” – Confidential source
The account, provided by the survivor, was shared in a statement by the Peace Foundation.
“The attacks have left a trail of severe injuries. A three-year-old child lies critically ill in the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) after being shot at close range, and a five-year-old girl is also receiving care at JUTH after her hand was brutally severed by attackers,” the statement added.
The Foundation vehemently condemned the attacks, describing it as a calculated act of genocide rather than a simple conflict between farmers and herders.
It also highlighted the loss of public figures such as Honourable Sabo Abang, who was abducted on the same night.
PMPF said Honourable Sabo Abang was captured on the night of December 24, held hostage during the attacks “but was later slaughtered three days after like a goat and his fresh dead body dumped near his home on December 27.”
Dr. Para-Mallam, President and CEO of the Foundation, extended his deepest sympathies to the families of the victims, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, and all affected Nigerians.
He lambasted the tendency to misinterprete the violence as a mere clash and called out the federal government for its inadequate response to the crisis.
The statement further stressed the urgent need for proactive measures rather than the current reactive military responses.
It pointed out that even during a visit by a Presidential Team that included Vice President Kashim Shettima and National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu, the violence continued unabated, with more villages coming under attack.
The silence of the international community and the lack of strong collective action within Nigeria were also questioned in the statement, which urged for a united stance against terrorism in the Middle-belt region.
Dr. Para-Mallam appealed for a concerted effort to achieve sustainable peace and end the bloodshed in Plateau State.
He reiterated that only decisive action, not politicization, can lead to true peace and security for the region’s inhabitants.