A fresh wave of attacks across Barkin Ladi and Riyom local councils and neighbouring communities in Plateau State has resulted in the deaths of at least nine persons. The attacks, which occurred between Saturday night and Sunday morning, have forced women and children to flee parts of Dorowa Babuje and surrounding areas. The victims included a cleric and another person who were reportedly attacked on their way to church at Dorowa Babuje in Barkin Ladi Local Council Area.
The spate of violence continued with the killing of three herders on Sunday evening in Kassa community of Barkin Ladi Local Council Area of Plateau State. According to the Secretary of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in the council, Abubakar Gambo, the herders were on their way from Bokkos when gunmen opened fire at their vehicle. Two persons sustained injuries in the attack and have been hospitalised.
The National President of Mwaghavul Development Association, Bulus Dabit, and the spokesman of Berom Youth Moulders, Rwang Tengwong, have called on security agencies to identify, arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of the attacks. The killings have been confirmed by various stakeholders, who are urging for increased security measures to protect the affected communities.
In a humanitarian effort, Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, have overseen the disbursement of N1.5 billion to 1,579 victims of violent attacks in five local councils of the state. The intervention comprises N1 billion donated by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu through her Renewed Hope Initiative and N500 million contributed by the Plateau State Government.
The beneficiaries of the humanitarian assistance were drawn from Mangu, Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Bassa local councils. Speaking at the disbursement exercise, Yilwatda acknowledged that no amount of money could bring back lost lives, but urged the beneficiaries to invest the funds in rebuilding their livelihoods through farming, petty businesses or other income-generating activities.
Governor Mutfwang noted that the combined N1.5 billion assistance could provide immediate relief but not replace lives lost or erase the trauma suffered by victims. He pledged that his administration would ensure that the intervention reached those genuinely affected and would continue working towards creating conditions for internally displaced persons to safely return to their ancestral homes.
The Plateau State Government and the Federal Government have reiterated their commitment to providing support to victims of violent attacks in the state. The disbursement of the N1.5 billion humanitarian assistance is a testament to the government's efforts to alleviate the suffering of the affected communities.
Key points
- The Federal Government and Plateau State government have disbursed N1.5 billion to 1,579 victims of violent attacks in five local councils of the state.
- The attacks have resulted in the deaths of at least nine persons and displaced many others.
- The government has urged beneficiaries to invest the funds in rebuilding their livelihoods through farming, petty businesses or other income-generating activities.
