Plateau communities differ over military operations

The Nigerian military operations in Plateau State have elicited mixed reactions among communities amid a lingering security crisis in several parts of the state. While some residents accused the military of failing to protect them, others applauded the personnel for sustained offensives on bandits and kidnappers in the state. Some angry women from Gashish community […]

The Nigerian military operations in Plateau State have elicited mixed reactions among communities amid a lingering security crisis in several parts of the state. While some residents accused the military of failing to protect them, others applauded the personnel for sustained offensives on bandits and kidnappers in the state.

Some angry women from Gashish community in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of the state had on Monday and Tuesday protested over persistent attacks in the area, destroying a military checkpoint in the process.

The protesters had lamented continued attacks on the community, but sources, who confided in our correspondent, said they also demanded the release of some suspects arrested by the military.

Troops of Operation Enduring Peace, a multi-security task force maintaining peace in the state, had, on April 18, arrested nine suspects in Danwal, a community in the Riyom/Barkin Ladi axis, and recovered arms and ammunition from them.

The suspects were identified as Gyang Dantoro, Samson Davou, Choji Yakubu, Vincent Adamu, Pam Dalyop, Femi Badung, Jacob Musa and Choji Chaga.

The arrests followed recurring attacks and cycles of violence in the area and other parts of the state. Sources confirmed to our correspondent that the suspects were arrested at about 01.35 hours when troops deployed at Ganawuri responded to reports of suspected criminal movement towards the Danwal area.

“The women were actually protesting against the arrest of the youths whom they initially thought were those attacking their community. They are under investigation, but the women are demanding their release,” the source said.

 

Women protest at military checkpoint

But the women, who staged a protest at a checkpoint mounted by Operation Enduring Peace around Kassa community in Barkin, said they were angry over what they described as “persistent attacks” on their community. 

The protest followed Sunday night attacks on Hurum-Gashish community in Barkin Ladi, where gunmen opened fire on residents, killing four people and injuring five others, and on Bachi community where two were killed and others were injured.

The women accused security forces of failing to protect their lives. 

Sources said the women, who came out in large numbers, vandalised the checkpoint as they expressed frustration over the continued violence in various villages, noting that residents remained vulnerable.  

They alleged that security operatives had “lost touch with reality,” allowing armed groups to continue inflicting hardship on residents.

They called on the government and security agencies to take urgent steps to end the violence and restore peace.

Some of the protesters, who spoke during the demonstration, demanded immediate intervention by relevant stakeholders. 

“We are tired of burying our children and husbands. The soldiers are here, yet we are still dying. If they cannot protect us, they should leave our land,” Mercy Dachung said. 

Another protester, Nancy Gyang, alleged that “each time we are attacked, we call them, but they come after we have counted our losses. Are they with us or with the killers? We removed that checkpoint because it has not stopped the attacks.”

Chundung Bot, a woman leader, said the community had lost confidence in the security presence.

“They tell us they are here for peace, but there is no peace. Our youths are gone, our elderly are gone, and our farms are no longer safe. We want the government to hear us. We cannot continue like this,” she said.

 

Troops rescue kidnapped victims, clear bandits’ hideouts

Meanwhile, the military has intensified raids on bandits’ hideouts in the state, with dozens of abducted victims recently rescued from Daji Madam Forest, located between Wase and Kanaman LGAs.

The troops also dismantled several bandits’ camps during coordinated clearance operations conducted last week in the forest. Military sources confirmed that the operations targeted identified bandits’ enclaves such as Dogo Ruwa and Bogwas located around the forest.

The military action in the forest followed persistent banditry and kidnapping activities within Wase and Kanam communities which have led to the killing of many people, including vigilantes and security personnel, in recent times. 

Speaking to Daily Trust on Wednesday, some of the rescued victims from Yalun community in Bashar district, Wase LGA, commended the military for rescuing them.

Waziri Usman, who spent 13 days in the kidnappers’ den, said: “They kidnapped us on our way back from making charcoal and drove us on motorcycles for seven hours before reaching the forest. They beat us and refused to feed us. They only gave us a small quantity of dirty water and demanded N30 million.”

Usman said while the kidnappers were discussing the ransom, military personnel stormed the forest.

“After a gun battle that lasted over two days, the kidnappers realised security personnel were approaching the camp and fled. We quickly freed ourselves and trekked for two days before we arrived home,” he added.

Another victim, Dayyabu Bello, said, “Ten of us were abducted at a spot. In the forest, they separated us. I cannot say how many were rescued — we were many. We escaped when troops intensified operations and military planes hovered around the area, forcing the bandits to flee. They killed many bandits.”

Some residents of affected communities expressed happiness over the security efforts to clear the forest, noting that the presence of the bandits had prevented farming activities for years.

Shapi’i Sambo, a youth leader in Wase, also commended the efforts of the security forces to enable residents to move around and engage in farming.

Sambo said, “We are happy with the development. Before the operation, working near the community or travelling from one community to another was a problem. With this development, we are relieved and can continue our lawful business. We are urging the security agencies to sustain the operation to ensure they eliminate them.”

The member representing Wase Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Ahmed Idris Wase, also applauded security efforts to rescue residents of the area and urged continued efforts to free Wase and other affected communities across the state.

He said: “We must applaud the security agencies for this wonderful commitment. They have done a good job. We are calling on residents and other stakeholders to cooperate to ensure the safety of lives and property in the region.”

 

MURIC seeks prosecution of arrested suspects

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has demanded the nine suspects arrested by men of Operation Enduring Peace be made to face the full wrath of the law.

While hailing the Nigerian Army for the operation, the group in a statement on Tuesday by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, warned that the case must not be swept under the carpet.

The statement read in part, “MURIC hails the Nigerian Army for this feat. We are horrified by the sophisticated weapons seized during the raid. We note in particular the submachine gun, a deadly weapon capable of firing up to 1,400 bullets within minutes! It is used only during war. Who do the Berom militia want to wipe out?”

The group maintained that the arrest had vindicated its position “that Christian genocide narrative is more or less a pot calling kettle black affair.”

“The signs have always been there, particularly going by the number of Muslim individuals and groups who have disappeared in that zone, including hundreds of Muslim travellers who have been killed in the state…there is a need to remind authorities of massive public interest in this case in particular. The case of the Plateau nine must not be withdrawn from court,” it added.

 

Group demands release of suspects

But the National Publicity Secretary of Berom Youth Moulders Association, Rwang Tengwom, debunked the report that “Berom bandits” were arrested in Danwal, describing the claim as false and misleading.

According to the association, two residents were recently attacked by suspected armed bandits, while local youths who rescued one of the victims were later arrested by security personnel.

The group called for the immediate release of the arrested youths and urged security agencies to focus on apprehending the real perpetrators.

“Two Danwal residents, Ayuba Gyang (49) and Dakon Bala (30), were ambushed while returning home on motorcycle. Attackers suspected to be bandits blocked road with stones, were armed with sophisticated firearms and machetes. Ayuba Gyang was knocked down and severely hacked. Attackers left thinking he died.

“Dakon Bala escaped into the bush, ran to Danwal to alert locals. Villagers launched a rescue mission to save the hacked victim before security arrived. These local rescuers were instead arrested by security agents who arrived later. Arrested youths were wrongly labelled ‘Berom bandits’ while real attackers fled,” it said.