A group under the auspices of Fulani Youths Movement, FYM, has issued a stern warning to ethnic youths in Plateau State that they will no longer sit back and watch attacks on herdsmen.
The FYM, which gave the warning after its inaugural meeting in Jos on Friday, stated that the rate at which Fulani herders were attacked and killed by ethnic militia gangs in several communities in the state, particularly in Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Bassa, Bokkos and Mangu Local Government Areas, was becoming worrisome, hence the need for the warning.
The warning, which was contained in a communique signed by the group’s convener, Adams Jouro and made available to DAILY POST, noted that despite several media reports of Fulani people attacking, killing and destroying farmlands across the state, the reverse was often the case as the herding communities had suffered more in the hands of locals.
He added that contrary to reports pushed out to demonize the Fulani people, making them look like the aggressors in every act of violence in the state, they had lost hundreds of herders and thousands of cattle since the beginning of this year.
“Contrary to biased media reports pushed out daily, the Fulani herding communities have suffered more in the hands of local ethnic gangs, especially the Berom Militias,” Jouro said.
“Since the beginning of this year, we have lost hundreds of our people while thousands of cattle have either been killed or stolen, and every time these attacks happen, they are quick to blame Fulani people.
“The story is the same in Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Bokkos, Bassa, Jos South, Mangu, and other parts of the state. What have we done to deserve this?
“While we agree that there are criminal elements among our people, just like every tribe has such people, the attacks and killings of innocent herders and destruction of their livelihoods must end henceforth.
“We will no longer sit back and watch innocent herders killed for the sins of a few criminals.
“By this communique, we call on the Plateau State government and the security agencies to set up independent investigation panels to determine the extent of damage caused to the Fulani communities in the state with a view to getting justice for them.
“For now, we say enough is enough,” the statement said.
‘We’ll no longer sit back, watch you kill our brothers’ – Fulani group warns Plateau youths