“Fulani herdsmen warned us that if APC wins, we will see what they will do to us” – ALGON chairman

“Fulani herdsmen warned us that if APC wins, we will see what they will do to us” – ALGON chairman
Posted By TheScoop on May 25, 2015
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By Onome Oraka

Plateau State has in the last three weeks witnessed renewed attacks in some areas of the state which has led the government to impose a curfew in seven of the 17 local government areas.

Indigenes of Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Wase local government areas took to the streets two weeks ago to protest the incessant killings by the Fulani herdsmen in the area, calling on security agencies to arrest attackers and ensure justice.

In an interview with a VANGUARD correspondent, the Chairman of Association of Local Governments (ALGON), and Chairman, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Emmanuel Loman gave a horrifying account of the attacks in the areas and the seeming inability of security agencies to secure the lives of the people.

Loman who said that the cause of the crises was totally territorial, alleged that Fulani herdsmen had disclosed that the victory of the APC at the polls would ensure further attacks on the people of his local government.

“There have been attacks for the past two weeks in Barkin Ladi and Riyom local government areas. We had a break from the attackers but the killings are recurring. Actually before the elections, it was made known to us by the Fulani that if the APC won, it would bring on stream their government and we will see what they will do to us.

“You see them killing people from hamlet to hamlet around the area. The unfortunate thing is that these are people who came, our parents allowed them to stay with us. It is purely a territorial issue; the killings and the system adopted are like those of terrorists in Maiduguri.

“The attackers wear military uniform; they come with sophisticated weapons and open fire on villagers. We have called on the Federal Government that we have terrorists in our midst, let them come and cordon the place and search but nothing has been done”.

Loman lamented that the security agencies had deserted the people, and revealed that the Fulani herdsmen had sponsors from the police, army as well as the Government. He sadly stated that the weapons of the Fulani herdsmen were more sophisticated than that of the security agencies.

“At times, soldiers will come; see the Fulani at the other side with sophisticated weapons and the soldiers will have no choice but to go back. We thought they will report to their headquarters for help but nothing has been done about the situation.

“I am not indicting them but the truth must be told. My finding about the situation is that some people are compromising. Do you remember that a President in this country once mentioned that those sponsoring terrorism, some of them were even in his cabinet?

“There is nothing to hide, a Fulani man in the bush can pick his phone and call somebody in The Presidency, and there is a link to these things. Even within the security agencies, there are some collaborating with them. That is why if you look at it, who is a civilian to attack soldiers on special duty and kill two or three and you think you can go scot free.

“It has been happening and nothing is done about it; it means something is happening somewhere. It is either some of the security agents are compromising for religious reason or they are doing so for money. Unless we are straightforward in this country, unless we go by the rules and regulations, we will be doing havoc to ourselves”.

Loman said that the attacks has had a gripping effect on his plans for his LGA as resources meant for carrying out developmental projects had been diverted to ensuring security for his people.

“The attacks have tampered with my plans for the local government because resources are channelled to security. Because of dwindling allocation from the Federation Account, salaries are not being paid in many states. But in my local government, salaries payment is up to date; this is as a result of non-interference with our funds by the government of Governor Jonah Jang.”

On his opinion about the incoming APC led administration in the state, Loman said that there would be no problem as long as governor-elect, Barrister Lalong refrains from tampering with the rule of law.

“If the APC is claiming it will obey the rule of law, then nobody can tamper with democratically elected structures. The governor- elect in Plateau, Barrister Lalong, has said he will not tamper with democratic structures but what we discovered is that he has pressure from his party members that the local government councils should be dissolved and he, as a lawyer, has a professional body that is watching with keen interest”.

Loman finally called on the Government to interfere in the crises as the constitution does not provision for people to forcefully take what does not belong to them.

“The constitution of this country does not give you the audacity to forcefully take what does not belong to you. We are all Nigerians and free to live anywhere but the moment you find yourself in an area, you must obey the laws of such area and live peacefully with the indigenes, but when you collect what belongs to them forcefully, I think that will not augur well. Government must do something about this”.

http://www.thescoopng.com/fulani-herdsmen-warned-us-that-if-apc-wins-we-will-see-what-they-will-do-to-us-algon-chairman/

And the terrorist people are carrying out their threat

My ss and se brothers kip weapons to urself. Dis people wants to conquer our territory. Islam knows what they are doing

So who are you crying to now as if they didnt warn you? The last time i checked, Plateau voted APC.

Agwoden:
So who are you crying to now as if they didnt warn you? The last time i checked, Plateau voted APC.

Are you sure

I thought plateau voted PDP

BlackTechnology:

Are you sure
I thought plateau voted PDP

They voted APC in the governorship polls