About five years ago, the Berom and Irigwe natives found in the Northern part of Plateau State seized every available outlet to cry out over the forceful occupation and renaming of their communities. Still, some wondered how possible it was for such to happen.
A former governor of the State, Jonah Jang, Senator Istifanus Gyang who was then the Member representing Barkin Ladi/Riyom federal constituency; the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Buba; all Berom Socio-cultural groups especially its umbrella body, Berom Educational and Cultural Organization, BECO and the Irigwes of Bassa local government area; among others consistently appealed to no avail that the Federal Government should tackle land occupation by foreign herders.
The Beroms pointed out some of the communities attacked since 2001 to include “Rotchun (aka Rafin Acha), Dankum (renamed “Mahanga”), Hywa (renamed “Lugere”), Fass (renamed “Tafawa”), Davwak, Chwelnyap, Lyoho Dakar, Angwan Dalyop, Janda, Darin, Shong I, Shong II; Rakweng; Dashugu; Diyan-Hei; Maseh (renamed “Lugel”),
Kampwas, Kasa, Zere, Ninja-Hei, Sei, Nicha, Pwabeduk, Hyai, Kufang, Sharu, Dogo, Ningon, Rantis, Angio, Kachin, Shonong, Rahol-Mazat, Chikogo, Ranchol, Nangam, Kak, Dajak, Rarin, Kujei, Attakar, Nantwa and some parts of Bisichi, Kai, Rahol, Luk-Fei, Mallel, Bel, Rahei, Zim, Jong, Rabuk, Lobiring and Gwara Dadep.
To date, natives of these communities have integrated themselves into safer communities and cannot return home.
Sadly, the situation has extended to other communities in the Central part of Plateau with the recent attacks and displacements across communities in Mangu and Bokkos which are the two local government areas worst hit in the zone.
Between April and July 2023, over 200 persons were killed in Mangu which is home to the Mwaghavul tribe, and the National President, Mwaghavul Development Association, MDA Chief Joseph Gwankat listed sacked communities to include:
“Murish, Dungmunan, Kubat, Tim Naanle, Pil, Fungzai, Manja, Chisu, Fungkipang, Nting, Jwaktumbi, Kantoma, Mangul, Alohom 1, Alohom 2, Gongon, Dan Hausa, Kikyau 1, Kikyau 2, Gudum, Tyop, Kwaskipanleng, Gaude, Bure, Ntam, Jwak Raas, Mper.
”Changal, Kombili, Washna, Jwak Chom, Larkas, Fushi, Kwahas, Dangdai, Atuhun, Adep, Ajing, Milet, Daika, Dikong, Lakopal, Kogul, Niyes, Lakasi, Gwet 1, Gwet 2, Mutong, Keptul, Gung, Pyantuhul, Kus Hi, Nbwor, Vodni, Pwaskop, Nten, Konji, Niyes, Kogul” and recently, Lar’apya.
For Bokkos, some of the communities attacked last December included, Mutfet, Ndun, Sanyan, Kyong, Kop, Mandarken, Lunghai, Chirang, Makundang, Fashar, Garau, Mbong, Tahore, Tamiso, Wang, Hirpiya, Butura Kampani, Maijankai, Dares, Kamluk, Sundul, Garah Mushere, Kambar Mupeli, Mbar Fiton and other.
More than 200 persons were killed in these attacks. Survivors of the attacks have relocated from these communities and reports abound that strange people are occupying their homes, harvesting their crops from their farms, and engaging in artisanal mining known in the local parlance as ‘guza.’
The natives also call for an intense investigation of Mahanga, a Fulani enclave where reports are rife that arms are stockpiled and attacks in the State are planned and launched.
While the natives across the diverse tribes see the recurring attacks as an attempt at land grabbing, the umbrella body of herders, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN whose members are often accused of carrying out the attacks, say it is not the case.
Former governor Jang noted that the people have continued to “bear the brunt of terrorists who seem to have sworn to dispossess them of their heritage at all costs. That these killers are out on a cleansing agenda and plan to take over the lands of the people they try to wipe out is no longer hidden.”
He added, “There is the need to attend to the call for State police as part of measures for boosting security, ensuring early response in crises, and confronting the challenges headlong. The killings are getting out of hand and the State Police option is viable for nipping these massacres in the bud.”
