Fulani community leaders in Plateau State have disputed a report that troops of Sector 4, Operation Enduring Peace, killed a suspected bandit at Rungan Jallo in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of the state. Instead, they claim the victim, Alhaji Yusha'u, was an elderly man who was mistaken for a bandit. According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency and security expert, the incident has sparked concerns among Fulani residents over civilian safety.
The Fulani leaders assert that Yusha'u was the grandfather of Ismail Zakariya, a Fulani Point-of-Sale (POS) operator who was reportedly killed in a separate attack by suspected Berom militia. Zakariya was ambushed and killed in Barkin Ladi, and his family is now disputing the military's account of the killing of his grandfather. The community leaders are demanding an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Yusha'u's death.
The incident occurred after troops launched an operation in response to reports that two female miners were killed, and suspected militia members were encountered at Rungan Jallo. The initial report claimed that troops killed a suspected militia member and recovered two motorcycles believed to have been used by the attackers. However, the Fulani community disputes the identity of the deceased, insisting that he was an elderly civilian, not a bandit.
According to a community source, Yusha'u was returning home from Nyola when he was allegedly mistaken for a bandit and shot. The source described Yusha'u as an elderly man who was not involved in any militant activities. The community leaders are calling for an investigation to establish the facts surrounding Yusha'u's death and determine whether he was involved in the attack that prompted the military operation.
The development has heightened concerns among Fulani residents over the safety of civilians caught up in the cycle of attacks and reprisals in parts of Plateau State. The incident has also raised questions about the military's tactics and the potential for civilian casualties. The Fulani community is seeking answers and justice for Yusha'u's death.
Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency and security expert, disclosed the incident in a post on X on Tuesday. Makama's report highlights the complexities of the security situation in Plateau State, where militant groups and militia have been active. The incident has sparked renewed calls for improved security measures to protect civilians.
The incident is the latest in a series of attacks and reprisals in Plateau State, which have resulted in numerous civilian casualties. The Fulani community and other stakeholders are urging the authorities to take steps to prevent further violence and ensure that those responsible for human rights abuses are held accountable. An investigation into Yusha'u's death is expected to shed more light on the incident.
Key points
- Fulani leaders dispute report that troops killed a suspected bandit, say victim Alhaji Yusha'u was an elderly civilian mistaken for a bandit.
- The incident has heightened concerns among Fulani residents over the safety of civilians caught up in the cycle of attacks and reprisals in parts of Plateau State.
- The community leaders are demanding an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Yusha'u's death to establish the facts and determine whether he was involved in the attack that prompted the military operation.
