PLATEAU INITIATIVE FOR DEVELOPMENT AND ADVANCEMENT OF THE NATIVES (PIDAN)

The Plateau Initiative for Development and Advancement of the Natives, PIDAN, the umbrella body of the 56 indigenous ethnic Nationalities in Plateau State is saddened by the resurgence of the circle of the daily annihilation of our people by some suspected Fulani herdsmen and Marchants of deaths; and the destabilization of the relative peace in Plateau State of late.

These resumed dastardly well coordinated acts, which started in Riyom, spreading to Bassa, Barkin Ladi and Bokkos, has now shifted it's weapons of mass destruction to Mangu Local Government Area of the State.

In the attacks on Riyom, Bassa, Barkin Ladi and Bokkos, many lives were loss, property, farmlands and houses or villages were razed beyond recognition.

Not satisfied with it's wicked plans, these heavily armed and trained sponsored militia have turned their arsenals on Mangu Local Government Area. 

In their evil voyage, the assailants have invaded and in commodor manner  attacked and ravaged about 52 villages in some 6 districts of the local government, where about 200 innocent people were killed, their homes, property and farmlands destroyed.

The districts mostly affected by the circle of annnniliation by the haters of the state in Mangu LGA include Bwai with 70 people killed; Kombun, 5; Mangu, 70; Panyam Branch, 22; Pushit, 17 and Kerang, 8. In their continued evil drive, these groups of people invaded and killed about 12 people over the weekend at Sabon Gari area of the same Local Government Area. These are corpses that have been recovered and buried, while others may have rotten, since there is no access to some areas.

We decided to go into these details to create an understanding of the ongoing massacre of our people and highlights the heinous acts meted on our innocent and defenceless brothers and sisters by these killers.

As at date, the magnitude of the damage these attacks have caused to the people cannot be quantified. Apart from the psycohlogical trauma the deaths and destruction they have caused, these once hardworking persons have been left without homes, farmlands and are turned into Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs.

While we call for quick rehabilitation of the affected, we appeal to both the State and Federal Governments to step up actions to salvage the current situation in Mangu, Riyom, Bassa, Bokkos and Barkin Ladi, as well as safeguard and secure the whole State.

Both Governments should move beyond press statements to taking the bold steps of arresting and taking appropriate actions against all those found to be involved in these ungodly acts.

We commend the GOC, 3 Armoured Division, for relocating his base to the troubled Mangu LGA, and urge him to go full blast after the perpetrators and their sponsors. They should also trace their hideouts , bases and destroy same.

While we sympathize with the affected, PIDAN is appealing to all the citizens of the state to take these attacks as collective, and should therefore be of assistance and ready to defend whoever is affected. Injury to one is injury to all of us.We should bury our respective divides and join forces to fight the common enemy.

We should strengthen our community defense mechanisms and be on the alert. We should learn to question and report suspicious persons and movements; and should avoid harbouring unknown persons and of questionable characters/backgrounds.

We appeal to the Plateau State Government to empower the traditional institution to register and have the power to sent away people, they suspect have dubious motives.

We further appeal to the State Government to lias with the Federal Government to find ways to strengthen Operation Rainbow beyond it's present level, for more effective performance and or output.

While PIDAN sympathizes and consoles with the Government and affected, we say enough is enough, and call on our people to rise up to the occasion of defending our God given land, and return it to the home Depot of PEACE and TOURISM slogan, by reporting appropriately any suspicious persons, moves or actions they notice.

Finally, we are aware of the antics of some unpatriotic elements, whose  stock is to create falsehood and deride constituted authorities. We are particularly irked by the actions and comments of the Secretary of Miyiti Allah Association of Mangu LGA, one Muhammed Salihu Musa, where he not only spread falsehood but the already tensed situation in Mangu. He also tried to drag the innocence of His Excellency, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang and the image of our well organized Security Outfit, Operation Rainbow, to the mud.

We call on the security agencies to arrest him to substantiate his claims. 

God bless Plateau State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Signed

 *Sir Patrick Gamde KSM* 

Vice President

PIDAN

 *Cmr. Nanle Gujor* 

Secretary General

PIDAN