By Funso Alarape
December 30, 2023
The Nigeria Police Force has established a Special Operation Squad to address security challenges in Plateau State as part of their intervention efforts.
During a condolence visit to Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang on Friday at Government House in Jos, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun revealed this regarding the recent attacks that resulted in the killing of about 195 people and several injuries.
The IGP asserted that the Special Operation Squad is to initiate immediate deployment of policemen to stop criminal activities and wanton killings in the state.
He said: “More deployment of our tactical unit will be made. We are deploying our tactical unit to assist you; we are deploying our intelligence unit. When you see the IGP visiting with DIG operations and DIG intelligence accompanied by the DIG of the zone, you should know that we mean business.
“A special operation will commence immediately on the plateau. This special operation will form the nucleus of our special intervention squad, the last time I visited you, I told you about our intention to set up a special intervention squad in ten pilot states in Nigeria and Plateau State is one.
“So with this special operation that is commencing today, we are technically flagging off the commencement of the operation of our special intervention squad.”
He called on the citizens of the state to join forces in the battle against criminals, stating that everyone must contribute to the war’s outcome to be won.
He said: “With the cooperation of the people of Plateau, a solution is in sight. I want to appeal to the people of Plateau to cooperate with the security agencies, support them with information, and actively take part.
Plateau survivors account.
For the umpteenth time, violence was visited in over 30 communities across the Bokkos, Mangu, and Barkin Ladi local government areas in Plateau State. By the time the dust settled, almost 200 persons were killed, over 1,000 houses burnt and in Bokkos Local Government Area alone, 88 persons were injured and hospitalized.
Within three days (December 23 to 25), several communities across the three local government areas were razed. These communities are 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, Daruwat, Hurum, Mai Yanga, NTV, Lar’apya and others.
One of the survivors, Mrs. Uren Matthew who lost her son in the incident said, “I am from Chirang, we were preparing for Christmas which we never celebrated. We heard that Fulani were attacking many communities, so we were apprehensive. When night fell, we were preparing to go and hide near the stream but we did not know they were there already.
“As we got there, they swooped on us and there was confusion as everyone was running. I got a cut on my hand as I was trying to block the machete they were using on us. My son and I were attacked so we pretended to be dead. “My son was also quiet for some time, but as he made an effort to crawl away, they noticed that he was not dead so they used a stone to hit him on the head and he died. I only survived because I pretended that I was dead so they left me.”
Mercy Makut from the same community said she also ran to the same stream area to hide but she met her attackers there.
“They were shooting some people and cutting others with machetes. I also received a cut on my hand. As I was trying to run, my two-month-old baby fell from my back and I did not even know that the baby had fallen off my back.
“A woman in the village helped me to pick the baby, so as I was making an effort to go back to the stream to find my baby, someone advised me not to take the risk but I thanked God as I was making my way there, I was told that one woman picked the baby. I later found the baby and we were brought to the hospital.”
In his account, Evangelist John Mahan from Mabor who lost a close friend and Church members said, “It was Christmas Eve and we were preparing for a vigil in the Church which was to start by 6 pm.
“By 5.30 pm, I was in the Church to prepare when I heard sounds of gunshots. We came out to check the direction of the gunshots, and that was when we saw people running that neighboring communities like Lunghai, Tahore, Chirang, Tamiso, and others were under attack.
“We had to start looking for a safe place but before we knew it, gunshots were just everywhere. As I speak with you, my personal friend and more than 20 members of our Church were killed and the communities destroyed.”
“The people are in the open, even though the adults have lost their appetite but the children are hungry. Before you know it, the appetite will return so everyone who can help, especially the government should make food and shelter available. The people are sleeping in a very bad situation with the cold now.”
Foundation account.
Revd Dr. Gideon Para-Mallam, President and CEO of the Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, has brought to light the tragic manipulation of a nine-year-old boy which led to a devastating massacre in Chirang village, Plateau State, on Christmas Eve.
As recounted by a woman who narrowly survived the incident by falling into a ditch, her son, Regard Yusuf, was deceived into leading the attackers to the place where she was hiding. This act of treachery resulted in the murder of 23 women, including the boy and his mother.
The account, provided by the survivor, was shared in a statement by the Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, revealing the chilling details of how the young boy was given false assurances about his safety before being killed alongside his mother. Among the deceased were also Veronica Mallan and her nine-month-old child, Godwin Mallan.
“The attacks have left a trail of severe injuries. A three-year-old child lies critically ill in the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) after being shot at close range, and a five-year-old girl is also receiving care at JUTH after her hand was brutally severed by attackers,” the statement added.
The Foundation strongly condemned the attacks, labeling them as a deliberate act of genocide rather than a simple conflict between farmers and herders.
It also highlighted the loss of public figures such as Hon. Sabo Abang, who was kidnapped on the same night and later found dead near his home.
Revd Dr. Para-Mallam extended his deepest sympathies to the families of the victims, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of
Plateau State, and all affected Nigerians.
He criticized the tendency to misrepresent the violence as a mere clash and called out the Federal Government for its inadequate response to the crisis.
The statement emphasized the urgent need for proactive measures rather than the current reactive military responses.
Causes
Former Director of the DSS, Mr. Dennis Amachree, has shed light on the cause of this wanton killing saying that the issue is that of grabbing fertile land and the scarce resource of water.
Amachree said “The problem used to be between the natives and itinerant herdsman. But all has changed as bandits and terrorists are playing a major role in these attacks.
“Intelligence agencies have seen this and always reported it. These killings are expected every Christmas period. But as Gov. Muftwang puts it, the government lacks the political will to take this threat head-on.
“The Federal Government is not helpless. Taking the stern decision to address the root cause will make the problem disappear. The Federal Government should round up these foreign bandits and either send them out of the country or jail them.”