Fears of Fresh Killings Resonate on the Plateau as Crisis Festers
Tension Mounts in Plateau State Amid Fears of Fresh Attacks
Plateau State is facing escalating tensions as fears of fresh attacks loom over the region. The recent crisis in Mangu Local Council, which resulted in the killing of over 30 people last Wednesday, has prompted calls for a thorough review of operational tactics by Nigerian security agencies to restore lasting peace.
The Coalition of the Plateau State Indigenous Fulani Association alleges a plot for ethnic cleansing, claiming that at least nine Fulani individuals were killed in January without any acknowledgment from the state government. The Mangu crisis, which started on January 23, 2024, escalated from the outskirts to the town, resembling an ethno-religious conflict with multiple places of worship set ablaze.
This incident follows a well-coordinated terrorist attack in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi areas a month prior, resulting in the murder of 195 individuals and displacing 29,350 people. Major-General Lawrence Onoja (rtd) calls for a change in strategy, emphasizing the need for varied operational styles to prevent predictability by bandits and criminals.
The Coalition expresses confidence in the state’s Special Task Force, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), while expressing a loss of confidence in the state government. Muhammad Nuru Abdullahi, Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), urges urgent intervention to halt further killings and destruction, calling for a high-powered dialogue committee to investigate the conflict’s root causes.
Condemnation and Appeals for Peace
The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) Plateau State chapter condemns the violence in Mangu, criticizing the alleged partisanship of the state government’s security outfit, ‘Operation Rainbow.’ The JNI calls for intensified efforts to secure lives and properties and warns against possible escalation.
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) appeals for peace, denouncing the destruction of lives and property. The group questions the targeted attacks on Northern Muslims in Plateau State, urging fair treatment by security operatives and cooperation from the people to restore peace.
Security Measures and Reactions
Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) announces the arrest of suspects connected to the recent Mangu attacks and the recovery of dangerous weapons. The task force condemns the civilian attack on Airforce personnel and military facilities during the curfew, emphasizing its commitment to upholding the rule of law.
Efforts to obtain a response from government officials regarding allegations made by the Fulani were unsuccessful. A government official denies bias, citing Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s non-discriminatory stance, dismissing claims of secret killings and thefts without government intervention.
The situation remains tense as Plateau State grapples with the aftermath of recent crises, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive and unbiased interventions to restore peace and security.
Credit : The guardian