An advocacy group, Voice of Fulani, has demanded monetary compensation from the Plateau State Government for alleged years of attacks on its people, destruction of their communities, and rustling of their livestock across the state. The group made the demand in a communiqué issued after its congress meeting in Jos on Friday. The communiqué, signed by the group's convener, Alhassan Lamido, emphasized that Fulani people in Plateau State had suffered years of attacks, destruction of property, and displacement.
According to the group, Fulani people in various communities, particularly in Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Mangu, Bassa, Bokkos, Jos South, and Jos East Local Government Areas, had suffered attacks allegedly carried out by natives, especially local militia gangs. The attacks resulted in the killing of Fulani people, theft of their cattle, and displacement from their communities. The group described these incidents as having affected their well-being and disrupted their means of livelihood.
The Voice of Fulani demanded both monetary and residual compensation from the state government for the killing of their people, rustling of their cows, and destruction of their communities. The group stated that the monetary compensation could not be quantified at the moment, as they were still taking stock of their losses and consulting Fulani leaders across the state to determine the figures that would be used to calculate the compensation package.
Alhassan Lamido noted that the monetary compensation would likely run into billions of naira. He stated that for over two decades, Fulani people had had to bear the brunt of attacks, killings, cattle rustling, and destruction of their communities by local gangs. Lamido emphasized that the narrative was often changed to make it appear that Fulani people were the aggressors.
The group claimed that there were hundreds of reports, videos, and pictures of Fulani pastoralist communities that showed the kind of injustice committed against them. They stated that they would present this information to the world in their quest for justice. Lamido acknowledged that there were criminal elements among the Fulani people but opposed deliberate attempts to place all the blame on them.
The Voice of Fulani is compiling a list of their losses and will present a comprehensive position, along with a breakdown of their demands, to the government. Lamido emphasized that the group was not seeking to generalize but to address the injustices committed against Fulani people. The demand for compensation is a bid to bring peace to the state.
The Plateau State Government has not officially responded to the demand. However, the issue is likely to spark a debate on the lingering conflicts between Fulani pastoralists and local communities in the state. The government's response will be crucial in determining the next steps in the group's quest for compensation and justice.
Key points
- Fulani group demands monetary compensation from Plateau State Government for alleged years of attacks on its people.
- The attacks resulted in the killing of Fulani people, theft of their cattle, and displacement from their communities.
- The monetary compensation could run into billions of naira.
