Yakubu Busari, Jos
Leaders of the Irigwe people in Plateau State have lamented what they described as the planned attempt by their Fulani counterparts to break a peace deal brokered by Catholic Arch Bishop of Jos, Most Reverend Ignatius Kaigama under the aegis of the Dialogue Reconciliation and Peace Centre, DREP, recently.
The National President of Irigwe speaking people of Plateau State Sunday Abdu said the recent attack and killing of his people by suspected Fulani herdsmen on Tuesday, April 17 showed that “they have paid lip service to the peace deal”
“We view the recent gruesome killing of four of our brothers by Fulani herdsmen on Tuesday 17th April, 2018 as shameless and barbaric. It is most irresponsible coming amidst series of meetings and consultations, aimed at achieving peace. This has shown the Fulani as people that cannot be trusted. For the avoidance of doubt, dialogue has been on at both local and state government levels through constituted committees, which also comprise the Fulani.
“Another avenue has been under the auspices of the dialogue, reconciliation and peace (DREP)centre, under the leadership of the Catholic Arch Bishop of Jos, Most Reverend IgnatiusKaigama. As a matter of fact, the last meeting at the DREPcentre was held on 5th April, 2018. At that meeting which also had some journalists in attendance, both Irigwe and Fulani representatives expressed commitment and readiness to engage each other constructively and objectively towards ensuring that no further loss of lives are recorded in Irigwe land. Their representatives were on record saying an end to the nocturnal attacks has come.
“It therefore beats our imagination to wake up to the news of another attack on innocent Irigwe sons at their place of work in NcheTahu, near Rafin Bauna on April 17, while excavating sand and loading into their tipper.
“Not only that, the Fulanis only last week, let their cattle into Irigwe territories for reasons yet to be ascertained. We consider this action as an attempt to raise a false alarm over missing cattle to justify another round of killings of our own who would obviously be accused of the said crime.
“Fully aware of this, we alerted security personnel and upon arriving to the area, where herds of cattle were left straying, the soldiers encountered resistance from the fire power of the herdsmen. This forced them to seek reinforcement which saw the herdsmen fleeing. As we speak, the soldiers have driven the flock to the sector six headquarters in Jebbu Miango
“We view this as most irresponsible and a breach of trust and call on all the conveners of the various peace moves to review the genuineness of the commitment of the Fulanis to the various peace initiatives.
“We therefore commend the security agencies (operation safe haven) under the able leadership of the commander Major Anthony Atolagbe, the Commissioner of Police, CP Undie Adie and their officers at various levels. We thank them for their professional commitment to saving lives of the innocent. They have demonstrated that indeed, security agents are out to protect the vulnerable.”
