Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has declared the killings in Bokkos Local Council of Plateau State as acts of terrorism and not the consequence of an age-long farmer-herder crisis.
The onslaught came seven days after some gunmen attacked the Ruwi community within the council area as mourners gathered to pay last respects.
Dalung, during a live programme yesterday, stated that there was more to the latest killings than meets the eye.
He said: “One major issue on the Plateau is mislabeling criminals based on ethnic identities or community relations.
“The violence here isn’t a farmer-herder conflict; it’s terrorism. These groups have an enclave similar to those in the Northeast, where they steal cattle, seize land and establish a parallel government in the bush.”
IN a related development, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has convened a peace meeting with stakeholders in the area.
He met with the stakeholders yesterday at the council meeting.
On April 2, gunmen attacked Hurti, Ruwi, Josho, Daffo, Manguna and other communities within the council area.
More than 40 persons were killed, 383 houses destroyed, and 1,000 persons displaced following the attack.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang had described the attacks and killings as a coordinated crime sponsored by conflict merchants and not farmer-herder clashes.
Addressing the stakeholders, the COAS said the meeting was part of a non-kinetic approach towards ensuring peaceful coexistence in Bokkos and environs.
He called on the residents to be tolerant, forgive one another, and embrace peace at all times.
Oluyede promised that troops would remain neutral, professional, and fair to all, irrespective of tribe and religion.
He, however, said this could only be possible if the people made concerted efforts to cooperate with the authorities.
Earlier, the Commander of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Maj.-Gen. Folusho Oyinlola thanked the COAS for organising the meeting.
Oyinlola, who doubles as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Rukuba, said the stakeholders’ engagement was apt, considering the rising security challenges in the locality.
He promised to collaborate with other security agencies to ensure a peaceful farming season in the area.
Also speaking, the District Head of Manguna, Alo Raymond, called on the security agencies to fish out perpetrators of the recent attacks.
He claimed that the consistent attacks on the communities were geared towards land grabbing.
The district head, who sought deployment of more security personnel to the communities, vowed that the inhabitants would not abandon their land for others to take over.
He also called on government at all levels to support the more than 1,000 displaced residents.
Bokkos council chairman, Amalau Stephen Amalau, received the COA
