The Coalition of Registered Fulani Organisations in Plateau State has called on the federal government to establish an independent and unbiased panel of inquiry to investigate the recent attacks, which led to loss of lives and destruction of property in the area.
Addressing a press conference in Kaduna, the Chairman of the Coalition of Registered Fulani Organisations in Plateau State, Garba Abdullahi Muhammad, also called for compensation for the victims, regardless of their religious or ethnic affiliation.
The Fulani leaders further appealed for the deployment of neutral security personnel to restore peace and normalcy, as well as to protect the Fulani community and other communities from aggression and intimidation.
“With a heavy heart, we want to bring to the notice of the general public, security agencies, state and federal governments, other stakeholders, and the international community, the continuous aggression against the Fulani people in Plateau State, Nigeria,” the Chairman stated.
“We urge all Nigerians, regardless of ethnic, religious, or regional background, to work together in synergy to combat injustice, criminality, and bias for meaningful development.”
The Coalition of Registered Fulani Organisations in Plateau expressed concern over the resurgence of hostilities in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State and strongly condemned the incidents of wanton destruction of lives and property.
“The local government area had enjoyed relative peace and harmonious coexistence between farmers and the Fulani herding community.
“They have lived together in peace, harmony, and mutual respect for one another since time immemorial, sharing economic potentials, engaging in intermarriages, exchanging pleasantries, and even understanding each other’s languages and cultures.
“The farmers and herders of Bokkos Local Government endured the shocks of the Plateau crises that engulfed most parts of the state for a long time and agreed to give peace a chance.
“Relentless efforts were made through dialogues, the formation of peace committees, the contributions of security organisations, peace-building agencies, civil society organisations, and the international community.
“The peaceful atmosphere persisted across various administrations and security commanders until recently when things suddenly took a turn for the worse.
“Rustling of our cattle in large numbers, killings of our herders, indiscriminate arrests of innocent Fulani herders along with their cattle, as well as the promotion of ethnic and religious intolerance, have become the order of the day,” Muhammad concluded.
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