by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
PLATEAU STATE: The Berom in Diaspora Coalition (BDC) has called on the International Community, along with Human Rights Organisations to (as a matter of urgency) come to the aid of Plateau People to end the killings and restore them to their ancestral lands that have been – and are still – being taken away from them by terrorists.
While urging the people to remain firm in the defence of their land and heritage, BDC, in conjunction with BECO, BEC and BEWDA has also demanded for “unconditional release” of their people arrested for defending themselves without further delay.
A representative of BDC, Barry Barnabas Dazih, briefed journalists on Tuesday on the topic: ‘Reclaiming Our Lost Ancestral Lands and Resettlement of Our People.’
He called on the Federal Government to declare Mahanga, in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, a “terrorist hideout,” describing it as a major stronghold for armed groups allegedly responsible for persistent attacks across the state.
While observing that government at all levels and some politicians are tirelessly working to deny the genocide against their people, Barry Barnabas Dazih noted that, “We view it as incentive for terrorist Jihadists to continue killing our people.”
According to him, they believe government knows its responsibility, including protection of lives and property, but noting that they are not interested in “decent burial” when innocent citizens are allowed to be slaughtered with reckless abandon.
He frowned at mass burial and the erection of monumental tombs with names of victims of terrorism, which is a stark reminder of the wickedness done to their people, and reiterated that, “Citizens deserve protection and not ‘decent burials.’”
Mr Dazih further pointed out that the Plateau State Government had set up committees on Displaced Persons across the state and promised to return displaced persons back to their places of original abode.
“This is yet to see the light of the day in any community, while our people have remained displaced destitute in our own land, with the terrorists occupying our ancestral lands,” he stressed.
The Representative of BDC further stated that, beyond assurance and promise, they want to see the immediate action, adding that, there is a humanitarian crisis in Beromland and other Local Government Areas in Plateau that is suffering from terrorists’ onslaught and are being ignored.
He affirmed that security agencies and government always ask for information to enable them track criminals, and their people usually provide, but security agencies have consistently failed to act on such credible information.
“Why is it that security agencies have refused to constitute a civilian joint taskforce as is the case in the northeast, but after any attack they claim the ‘terrain is difficult,’” he queried.
Dazih also called on the Governor, Senators, House of Representatives Members, all Lawnmowers to go out of their way to reclaim the lost lands, while Local Government Chairmen must work towards achieving results, especially in the affected Local Government Area of the state.
According to him, the clamour for State Police is very urgent more than ever before, but they are worried at the slow pace that the matter is being handled.