Former Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Jonah Wuyep (Rtd) has described the continuous and sustained attacks in communities in Plateau state are not conflicts between herders and farmers or communal clash but a genocide against the Plateau natives.
Wuyep made this known on Thursday while speaking with newsmen in Jos Over Bassa and Bokkos LGC killings.
Ethnic cleansing and genocide should not be tolerated in a civilised society, the Ex Air force Boss said.
He described the recent wave of deadly attacks in the state, which claimed over 100 lives within a week as deeply regrettable.
Wuyep expressed heartfelt condolences to the people of Plateau State and called on President Bola Tinubu to address this insecurity in the state.
“Let me start by extending my heartfelt condolences to the Governor, government and people of Plateau State, particularly people from the affected communities on the recent killings that claimed many lives in Bokkos and Bassa LGA,” he said.
These attacks are very unfortunate, I condemn it in totality and call on the Federal Government for swift action to end it. The attacks on innocent people of Plateau State are coordinated, systematic and appear very deliberate to wipe the communities for no reason.
This has been for too long and I think the time to stop these senseless attacks on rural communities is now.. This issue has to be addressed urgently by all the security agencies.
He added that “I had the Governor say the President has shown a lot of concern over the attacks in the state, I wish to appreciate the effort of Mr President for the directive to security agencies and NEMA to respond with relief materials for the victims.”
“I want the world to know that attacks on innocent persons in the state are not herders, farmers clash. Was it in the farm that people were killed in Bokkos and Bassa, was there a clash?
If so, between who and who. We know that the locals were attacked and killed, so if it is a clash, with which group of people? What is their identity, this is a terrorist attack and the security must fish the preparators out.
The earlier the security identifies those who are attacking our people the better for the nation in addressing the spate of insecurity in the country.
It is clear that armed men descend on helpless and innocent communities and kill people in their sleep, the Federal Government must do something very urgent and now to stop the killings.
Let me also point it out clearly that what we are facing on the Plateau is not a communal clash, it is not a religious war but a pure attack aimed at wiping the people from their land and this has to stop.
Government should not allow our communities to turn into killing fields. For me, these incidents are not isolated, they are coordinated acts of terror, aimed at instilling fear, displacing our people, and ultimately undermining the right of the people to coexist peacefully in their ancestral lands.
The Governor of Plateau state Governor Bar Caleb Mutfwang on resumption of office ,did his best by restoring peace in the state.
You remember that we have had peace for more than one year , until the recent attacks, it did not just happen by coincidence. I am aware of the investment the Governor has made in technology and maintaining cordial and harmonious working relationships with the security agencies at the national and at the state level.
I am also aware of the kind of dialogue and mediation through the Plateau Peace Building Agency. Talking about response to the current situation, yes God has cried out. He is not keeping quiet, I have had him talk about the situation as he should, I have seen him visit the areas affected and he is keeping to his constitutional responsibility.
“All we need now is to rally round him, this is not a political issue. Today it is Governor Caleb Mutfwang and tomorrow it may be a different person. It’s us who come together and fight this menace. Let’s speak out to the concerned authorities to take urgent steps to end the killings.
“If you observe this latest attacks on our people is happening when the farming session is about to commence.”
That had been the pattern for years. The aim is to instill fear in the farmers not to go to farm and if they don’t go, they will remain in hunger and perpetual poverty.
Their land will be turned into grazing fields, that must not happen to Plateau people, everything possible must be done to stop this trend of events, enough of it.
“I urge our people to be vigilant and defend themselves but be law abiding. Don’t allow terrorists to come and slaughter you, you must protect yourselves and your land.
The youth must organize themselves into vigilante groups, you must be vigilant and face the security with intelligence from your communities. This is the hour for Plateau people to come together and defeat the common enemy threatening the existence of the state.
He praised Governor Caleb Mutfwang for his continued efforts to address the security situation, and acknowledged President Tinubu’s determination to restore peace.
