At about 8:00pm of 21st September, 2020, a report reached out that armed invasion was perpetrated by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Rasat village of Foron District, Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State. As a result, Da Bulus Chuwang Gyang aged 64, a Paramount ruler (acting Gwom Rwey) was macheted and gunshot to dead.
On visit to the scene where thousands of mourners greeted, Transition Committee Chairman of Barkin Ladi, his council Secretary as well as Commissioner of Science and Technology amongst other Government functionaries paid condolences to the residents and pleaded for calmness as security agents have been briefed up to unravel the assailants of the dastardly act.
The Council Chairman, Hon. Jok Alamba condemned the gruesome murder of the Paramount ruler. After condoling the mourners, he added that information reached him “..last night, some mischief makers called the Paramount ruler on phone.
Due to network problem, he decided to come out to where he could have a better network… the Paramount ruler was attacked, macheted and gunshot…” he said. In further reaction, the Council’s Chairman urged the people to bear in mind that ” ..God has been with us in this part of the world..he has sustained us all this while, and he will continue to sustain us.” He however assured them of trailing the perpetrators of the dastardly act and brought to face the wrath of the law.
In another reaction, Hon. Musa Dung, Commissioner of Science and Technology also pleaded for calmness as the matter will be taken up to Permanent Secretary on Security, Plateau State as well as His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Plateau State for necessary action. Mr. Dallang Dabot who is the Chairman of Berom Education and Cultural Organization (BECO) appreciated Government presence to condole the people.
However, he lamented about negligence on the part appropriate authorities needed to act within time in the previous times when complaints were made. He said, “..on pressing calls previously put across by the deceased but nothing was done about that..” in spite of the fact that “we are peace loving people.” He added that “if Government does not protect us, we will have no option than to defend ourselves” in order to survive the continued aggression faced from Fulani herdsmen who usually graze with arms such as AK47. He further said that Fulani are not residents of Foron District, but continue to unleash attacks from Jos East LGA not only to destroy our crops, but also killed at will that we shouldn’t talk? He, in the same vein, urged the authorities to put in needed efforts towards fishing out the culprits as the corps of the deceased has been deposited at Plateau State Hospital.
During the visit, Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, Esq, of Emancipation Centre for Crisis Victims in Nigeria-ECCVN extended a condolence to the family and other mourners, saying, “agents of inhumanity have rose up again. The gruesome murder of the Paramount ruler is highly condemnable, and that not only the perpetrators of this be trailed and brought to book, but also those behind the killing of one native of the same Rasat village on 17th July, 2020 so that justice is not taken as rhetoric.” He drew the attention of the Council’s Chairman to the July incident during which ” a vigilante group intercepted herd of Cows from the suspects at the scene the attack and handed over to security agents but on a later day or thereabout were released to Fulani while the natives were looking forward to be invited and/or intimated on level of investigation conducted but silence prevailed to date. This, of course, is suggestive of injustice and unfairness occasioned which impeach on integrity of the security thereby making the people lose confidence in the system.” It’s on that premise the front line advocate pleaded with the relevant authorities to good the general impression already created in every right thinking person, especially the villagers who are crying out for justice which should be seen and not only said.
In view of the above, it’s hereby suggested that an executive order be made to the effect of banning open grazing since mischief makers are bent on not only crippling economic prowess of the their target victims, but also use such avenue to unleash terror attacks on unsuspecting native inhabitants. This is in addition to trailing the perpetrators.
By:
Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, Esq.
Emancipation Centre for Crisis Victims in Nigeria-ECCVN
