By Agabus Pwanagba, Jos
The Berom Youth Moulders Association on Wednesday said the Berom people have lost over 11, 000 of its citizens as a result of the killings that has bedeviled their communities for over two decades in Plateau State.
The Group also said their people have been sacked from 68 villages and communities, and are being occupied by “Fulani militia”.
It equally said the plight of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) as a result of the aforementioned period of unrest has not received any attention of any sort, be it “relief, rehabilitation and return from any quotas or authority”.
President of the Group, Bature Adazaram, disclosed this while briefing journalists after burying the deceased people killed in a recent attack on IDPs in Rantis, Gashish District of Barkin Ladi LGA of the State.
DAILYPOST recalls that, gunmen suspected to be Fulani militia on the 7th, April, 2022, attacked Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who were trying to rebuild their homes at Rantis, in Gashish District of Barkin Ladi LGA of the state, killing two and leaving three others with gunshot wounds.
Adazaram said, “It’s no longer news that over 68 villages and communities in Berom land have been sacked and are currently occupied by Fulani militias with no challenge whatsoever either from the Berom native owners or the Government as well as security services in favour of justice, equity and fairness.
“The plight of Displaced Persons in this general area is yet to receive any meaningful attention in terms of relief, rehabilitation and return from any quotas or authority in the land.
“Except the usual infamous slogans, ‘Government is on top of the situation, and is assuring all citizens to go about their normal/lawful business without any fear or intimidation”, he decried.
“Infact, the plight of the Internally Displaced Persons has been reduced to verbal condemnation of attacks and killings, verbal assurances of justice, verbal promises of assistance which, to us, amount to mere lip service and indeed, mockery of the victims.
“The unbelievable reality is that these empty slogans are shamelessly repeated on air when attacks and killings are perpetrated”, he further lamented.
“Furthermore, we want Nigerians and the world to know that Internally Displaced natives in Plateau State have not only been neglected to their fate, but are today effectively been sabotaged, so they forfeit rebuilding their homesteads thereby surrendering to the occupiers of their lands.
“To our knowledge, so many have been killed, maimed and injured while making self-efforts at rebuilding their homes and livelihoods. It’s not surprising that IDPs are suffering their fate without assistance and support.
The Group however said, “The non implementation of anti-land grabbing law in Plateau State is presently aiding the territorial expansionist appetite of the Fulani invaders from within and beyond the State.
“Giving the lack of political will and the requisite commitment on the part of Government and its agencies to guarantee the security of lives and property of IDPs, it’s therefore incumbent on youth groups in the affected areas to synergize, collaborate and network for their survival”, the Berom Youths admonished.
“We call on Human Right organisations and foundations as well as International NGOs to assist/facilitate IDP communities and villages with funds to secure legal service for enforcement of their rights.
“To the Fulani invaders and land grabbers, we unequivocally declare that no inch of Berom land shall be ceded no matter the magnitude of terror and killings of our people”, the Group stressed.
