…Communities accuse security personnel of “taking sides with attackers.”
by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
Plateau State Police Command has successfully repelled an attack on villages in Mangu Local Government Area of the State and assured that “the situation, as of today, is under control.”
Addressing newsmen at the Police Headquarters in Jos on Thursday, by the AIG Zone 4, AIG Ebong Eyibio said,17 suspects have been arrested, out of which nine (9) were in connection with the two days’ killings in Mangu, and 8 were in connection with the December 24/25 killings.
The AIG was represented by the Police Public Relations Office (PPRO), Alfred Alabo, who explained that items recovered from the suspects include dangerous weapons, such as machetes, and kegs containing petrol, among others.
He further assured that, the area remains highly secured by security forces and strict compliance to the curfew is being complied with.
According to him, this followed intervention of their team of agile Police officers from the IGP Special Intervention Squad stationed at the ASTC, in conjunction with the Area Commander Pankshin and the DPO who swung into action and thwarted the attempted attack.
He disclosed that, in another development, an attempt by some criminal arsonists in Panyam District to set fire on some worship centers was prevented by swift intervention from the police and with help from a couple of elders of the community.
Also in another development, to further strengthen the existing security architecture in Mangu LGA and ensure compliance with the curfew imposed by the government and prevent further escalation of the incidence, which is almost snowboarding into an ethno religious crisis, the AIG has ordered the deployment of additional Special Intervention Personnel to Mangu Local Government Area to be commanded by the Area Commander, Pankshin, and restore normalcy in that area.
In another development, a delegation from the Plateau State Government, led by the Security Adviser to the Governor, heads of other security agencies, and leaders from both the Christian and Muslim communities, gathered at the Mangu Township Stadium and the Miskam Mwaghavul Palace in Mangu on the 24th day of January, 2024, to deliberate and chart a way forward to put a stop to the menace.
He called on the leadership of both faiths to call their followers to order and ensure total compliance with the government-imposed curfew.
According to him, both parties have promised to comply, in the interest of peace in their communities. So far, over 10 corpses have been recovered from various locations, two injured persons currently receiving treatment at the hospital, one car, while so many houses were burnt down.
He also commemorated with the government and good people of Mangu and Plateau State over the loss of lives and property as a result of these attacks.
While warning that, the Command under his leadership and supervision will “bear zero tolerance” to any act of criminality, he stressed that the Command will continue to intensify its efforts towards restoring peace, public confidence and normalcy within the State.
The Security Adviser urged the public to remain calm and cooperate with the security agencies, saying, “As we are working tirelessly to maintain peace and order in the region.”
CAN Chairman of Mangu, Rev. Timothy Daluk, in a reaction lamented on the death tolls in Mangu clashes between natives and Muslims community, which has risen to 35 persons; and the natives have indicted the military of “aiding Muslims.”
Rev. Daluk, while supervising the displacement of Christians and the destruction of their property, accused the military, saying, violent attacks and wanton killings of Christians in Plateau State were being facilitated by the Nigerian military.
He was reacting in a statement saying, “Who are you reporting to;? “Use the offering from your Church to arm your youths and buy them weapons to defend themselves.” “Learn from Israel?”
Also, leadership of Mwaghavul Development Association (MDA) is saddened by the current breakdown of law and order in Mangu Town, which begun on Monday 22nd, and continued on Wednesday, 24th January 2024, without any resistance from the security.
Mr Lawrence Kyarshik, Director Public Affairs, MDA, disclosed this in a Press Statement in Jos, saying that, “This unfortunate event is currently going on under the watchful eyes of the military, who have failed to give protection to law-abiding residents of Mangu.”
The Plateau State Governor, Barr Caleb Mutfwang, in a swift reaction to curtail the situation imposed a 24hr curfew in Mangu Local Government only for the Fulani Jihadists to unleash mayhem on Kwahaslalek, leaving over 30 people dead, houses completely raised down and property, including food items destroyed with fire.
One then wonders how these criminals operated without any resistance from the Security personnel already deployed in the Local Government.
According to him, “Sadly enough, security alert received on Monday 22nd had shown that there is pending attacks in Mangu and other places; yet, these carnages went on unhindered.
“As if that is not enough, even within Mangu, the Muslims took advantage of the curfew to burn down houses, killing unsuspected persons and destroying properties and churches.
“The MDA frowns at the activities of some of the military personnel, who appear to be complacent in carrying the constitutional duties they swore – “to protect all citizens of the country, irrespective of tribe and religion.”
“We are losing confidence in the military each passing moment because their actions are clear that they have taken sides. Consequently, we wish to demand for complete withdrawal of the military to be replaced with MOPOLS and NSCDC, as their roles in this conflict is highly suspicious.
“At the moment, our people are left at the mercy of God and the little they can do in self defense.
“The MDA use the opportunity to respond to a write-up on the social media by one Safwan Umaru Yahya accusing the Christians in Mangu of collaborating with the Plateau State Government, particularly Operation Rainbow, to attack Muslim Ummah at Mangu.
“In his social media space, he claimed that the Police and Operation Rainbow are killing them, yet there was no sound of gunshot at the background of the video.
“This statement by Safwan Umaru Yahya is not only misleading but a complete fabrication of lies, distractive and meant to falsely attract sympathy to his people.
“The Mwaghavul Nation and Christians in Mangu have coexisted peacefully with Muslims in Mangu for decades. Most of them are even our brothers, who have also married our daughters.
“They have allowed bad elements to settle amongst them and used them against their own brothers and sisters. Remember, if you are a Mwaghavul Muslim and love Mangu Local Government Area, you will not conspire with evil people against us.”
He drew the attention of the public and the security agencies to another write-up on social media by one Bala Umaru Kafel on “Dr Nentawe Die heart Support Group,” in Hausa “PDP in Plateau, To, sai kuje Mangu ku kwashe gawakin ku dafa ku ci hahahahassh.”
“We believe that the situation in Mangu should pain all of us. The destruction of human lives and property doesn’t know whether you are PDP, APC or any other political party; hence, should be rejected and this statement is unfortunate, unpatriotic and evil.”
They also called on their people to “remain prayerful, defend yourselves and our land against all plans to intimidate us, and God will give us victory, and also calling on the security, especially the military, to put professionalism above personal interest in dealing with the situation in Mangu.
“Otherwise, our people when pushed to wall, their response may escalate the already bad situation. May God protect our land, fight the enemies of Mangu LGA and restore peace to us.”