Plateau Community Leader Pleads For Unity To End Herdsmen Attacks

Chief Yohana Margif, a prominent community leader in Plateau State, has issued a desperate plea for collective action to address the escalating attacks by herdsmen in the state, particularly within the Mushere community. SAta press conference in Abuja on Saturday, Chief Margif called on Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, members of the National Assembly representing the state, and the Federal Government to urgently intervene and bendthe relentless violence.

Chief Margif, the Waziri Mushere of Mushere Chiefdom in Bokkos Local Government Area, eemphasisedthe urgent need for all political leaders to unite in saving the people of Plateau from the ongoing killings. He also appealed to the international community for support and immediate intervention.

“The situation demands immediate attention,” Chief Margif stated. “I appeal to Gov. Caleb Mutfwang, the Federal Government, our National Assembly members, security chiefs, other critical stakeholders, and the international community for support in bringing an end to this violence. The current escalation of attacks and wanton killings across Plateau State necessitates collective action to restore peace and security.”

He highlighted the devastating impact of the attacks, particularly on rural farmers who are facing increased hardship due to the timing of the attacks during the farming season and already challenging weather conditions. He stated that villages such as Kadim, Hokk, and Nawula within the Mushere Chiefdom have been ravaged and sacked by the marauding herdsmen, resulting in countless llossesof lives, destruction of homes, and the displacement of inhabitants.

“These attacks culminated in countless llossesof lives, destruction of homes, displacement of inhabitants, whose lands were now occupied by the herders, depriving them access to their ancestral homes and livelihoods,” he lamented.

Chief Margif further accused the herders of being emboldened by a perceived lack of effective response from authorities, leading to the replication of killings and land grabbing in communities across Plateau. He stressed that the cries of the people are seemingly falling on deaf ears, necessitating urgent action from leadership to address the situation.

“As leaders, we cannot stand idly by while our people are being brutalised and our lands taken over. Our people cannot perish in silence, we must take decisive action to save them and restore peace and security,” he urged.

The community leader also proposed a change of strategy by the government and relevant security agencies to effectively address the crisis. He cautioned that continuing with the same approach would only yield the same unsatisfactory results. He called for a united front and decisive action to stem the spread of bloodshed and restore peace and security to the affected areas of Plateau State.