IRIGWE PRESS STATEMENT on Miango killings

• IRIGWE PRESS STATEMENT

  FOR

  STEFANOS FOUNDATION PRESS CONFERENCE HELD

  ON

  25

  TH

  COTOBER 2017

  AT

  SHERATON HOTEL ABUJA

  Gentlemen of the press, ladies and Gentlemen, Good morning. Thank you very much for

  honoring our invitation.

  We are representatives of the Irigwe people of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau

  State. We are farming communities who have coexisted with Fulani herdsmen for many

  years in peace, despite the escalation of attacks by suspected herdsmen on farming

  communities in Nigeria, we have maintained a free disposition to the herdsmen in our

  midst. In recent times however, we noticed some unusual behavior from the Fulani

  herdsmen who reside in our community. Lately, for reasons best known to the

  herdsmen, we noticed that they began to withdraw from our community and when we

  asked them, we were told that all is well.

  However, we have not known peace since the first gruesome attack on Ncha Village in

  September, 2017. One news of attack or the otherhas left us in tears, sorrow, despair

  and apprehension.

  On the 9th September, 2017, Hukke, in our community was attacked and 2

  persons were killed. In this month alone, several attacks have been carried out in our

  community. On the 8th October, NkieDongwro in our community was attacked – 1 killed

  and another wounded. On the 10

  th

  of October, Kpachudu was attacked and a young

  man, Solomon Elisha was killed and it was allegedly that the act was carried out by a

  Mobile Policeman, member of OPSH. On the 11

  th

  of October, Nzhweruvo and Tafigana

  were attacked and 3 people were killed and several houses razed down. On the 12

  th

  of

  October, RikweChongu was attacked and houses were razed down. On the 14

  th

  of

  October, Taegbe was attacked leaving 6 people dead, 5 injured and houses razed. On

  the 16

  th

  of October, NkyieDoghwro was also attacked leaving 29 people dead, and 3

  people injured at a School used as a Camp and protected by security. Rimeli, Richu,

  Nzwerenvi, Zanwara, Kpara, Rotso and Haraku were all also attacked subsequently.

  Currently, over 14,000 people, out of 80,000 populations are displaced. We are greatly

  bereaved and feel very insecure.
• Despite all steps taken in providing timely information about movement and operation

  of assailants in our land, attacks still continued and the perpetrators have not been

  arrested, instead we have watched our young men dragged out of their homes and

  detained for some baseless allegations of being in possession of weapons.

  As a law abiding people, the news of a dusk to dawn curfew by our State governor, met

  us with a great relief, unknown to us, while the military religiously enforced the curfew

  to keep our people indoors; they presented us as cheap targets for our attackers to

  operate unhindered. The siege continued with no perpetrator arrested or a review of

  the orders done for effectiveness.On the first day of the curfew, we watched Kpachudu

  village set ablaze and Nzhwerivo village attacked on the second day.This has left us

  wondering whether the Nigerian military intelligence is incapable of protecting our

  people or they have simply chosen to be deliberately complacent with our attackers.

  By now, given the presence of security personnel, the attackers could have been driven

  away, if not arrested. We had also hoped that since the invaders do come from the hills

  and the surrounding bushes, energies and expertise will be directed to cordon these

  areas and fish out the perpetrators.

  We were also encouraged when in his words, President Mohammadu Buhari

  acknowledged that “this madness has gone too far.” Especially when he immediately

  backed his words with the constant patrol of the military aircraft over our land. We are

  however surprised that, with all these one week of emboldened military activities,

  perpetrators are yet to be apprehended. We wonder where we are with the

  government on this.

  Since the outbreak of these attacks, we held series of meetings with security personnel

  and all settlers on our land, Fulani leaders inclusive. It was clear that everyone was

  concerned about this situation. We are however shocked to now read documents

  indicating that the Fulani have claimed responsibility for the attacks. The Irigwe people

  are peace loving people. We will always live peacefully with settlers and friends. We

  therefore advise anyone aggrieved to channel their grievances to the right authorities

  for appropriate actions.

  We are carefully studying our facts. We will also survey all avenues that will bring justice

  to our people.

  It’s been a week now, we are yet to see any relief or aid taken to our displaced people.
• We call on the federal government to ensure that NEMA lives up to their responsibility

  and that all relevant agencies take practical steps to protect our people and our land.

  The Irigwe land is under God and we shall continue to look up to Him for a Godly

  direction into this situation.

  Thank you.

  &

  God bless.

  Signed:

  -----------------------------------

  Honorable Sunday Abdul

  President of the Irigwe development Association