by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The National President of the Mwaghavul Youth Movement, Comr. Kyesmang Jonathan Yusufm has called for justice for the victims of the ongoing genocides, in their community, in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, for which Fulani leaders have taken responsibility.
He stressed that, “The families of the victims of these terror attacks deserve support and those responsible for the current plight of our people must be held accountable.”
Briefing newsmen in Jos on Friday, the Mwaghavul Youth Movement National President also demanded that government should take concrete actions to empower them to protect their people and their land from these terrorists.
“This includes providing security, investigating incidences, and prosecuting those responsible for it. This situation highlights the complexity of the conflict and the need for a nuanced understanding.
“We understand their pain for the loss of their animals; they should report such cases to security agencies who have the expertise to investigate, arrest and prosecute such criminals, rather than using such occasions to stereotype or blackmail our youths.
“We detest such cheap blackmail. And, if such blackmail are intended to scare us, they would be making a terrible mistake. They better advice themselves, as we shall meet them at our gates with the devastating force of our unity and patriotism,” he noted.
The national president further explained that, the leadership of their land has zero-tolerance for criminality, adding that, “By this press briefing, we are warning all criminals of whatever color or shades to stop using our land as a lunch-pad to criminality. We will expose all criminals. This is our commitment to Nigeria and Plateau State.
While explaining that, the use of herbicides and other chemicals to protect farms by their farmers is a common legitimate practice, he urged government to support their farmers in their efforts to protect their crops.
According to him, they are also aware that herders use certain vaccines on their animals that make their consumption hazardous to human beings at certain window periods.
“There are best agricultural practices among herders and farmers. The implication of these practices is that herders should educate their under-aged children on the consequences of a deliberate abuse of farms that have been treated. Most adult herders know about this,” the president noted.
The National President also called on the Nigerian Army to investigate the recent destruction of crops by the Fulani in Mangu and other parts of Mangu Local Government Area, because there have been attacks that claimed numerous lives and villages within Mangu and other Local Government Areas of the State.
“It is essential that the Army takes an objective stance, protecting all ethnic groups within Mangu Local Government Area equally, while giving attention to the temerity of the Fulani elements.
“The Mwaghavul Youth Movement also condemns every act of terrorism and criminality in the strongest possible terms and demands that immediate and concrete actions be taken against their activities on the Plateau and beyond.”
While calling for unity among all tribes on the Plateau to stand together against this common enemy, the terrorists, he urged the government to provide security, investigate where these terrorists come from, and arrest and prosecute them.
He advised the Fulanis to expose the foreign terror groups hibernating amongst them to ensure trust, and together they will defeat the terror groups, adding that until they show such commitments, they are perceived as friends of our enemies. This has serious implications on their relationship with Nigerian citizens.
“We urge all members of the Mwaghavul Youth Movement to remain peaceful and law-abiding as always but never to be intimidated or succumb to the known strategies of the terrorists,” he urged.
They also called on youths of all ethnic groups on the Plateau and Nigeria to rise to the occasion of defending their territories, saying, “Activities of terrorists are no doubt a fight against the State and not only against the Mwaghavul Nation but against all Nigerians.”
They extended their heartfelt appreciation to their sympathisers across the State and Country and all members of the Mwaghavul Youth Movement for their unmatched vigilance and commitment to protecting their communities, “since we came under attacks by the Fulani terrorists in April, 2023.”