The Rigwe Nation of Irigwe chiefdom in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State has raised alarm over constant attacks and destruction on farmlands by crisis merchants.
The ugly incident that claimed and damaged crops worth N4million at various farm locations occurred barely few days after a 36-man peace report implementation committee was inaugurated by the Commander Operation Safe HAVEN (OPSH), Major Gen. Ibrahim Ali.
Recall that the peace report implementation committee is headed by Justice Daniel Longji Rtd.
A press statement by the Secretary-General of Irigwe Development Association (IDA), Danjuma Auta, states that it is with rude shock that we have to sent this Press Release today on the unfortunate incidents that occurred within this few days when we’ve all resolved to embrace the path of peace with the Fulani community.
“This is alarming because it is coming few days after an implementation committee of the 36-man committee for peace was inaugurated to set the ground rolling for peaceful coexistence between the Irigwe and the Fulani community”.
“We, the Irigwe, had welcomed this move because of our belief in the sincerity of the commander OPSH, Gen. A.S Ali in ensuring that we all enjoy the most needed peace in our land”.
“Our people had consistently witnessed an army of Fulani herders grazing and invading our land by their legions of thousands of cattle that lead to massive destruction of irrigation farms belonging to 90 farmers. This has caused huge damage to the people. This took place, 26th February to 2nd March, 2022″.
“The destruction of our crops and the killings of some cows by some individuals, we wish to state here that we received vital information of planned orchestrated and coordinated attacks on our communities by the Fulani armed men and have since surveyed their possible areas of attack through the recent exploration of our communities by way of the grazing they’ve been carrying out relentlessly.
“They have destroyed farm crops worth over 4 million naira, and have further impoverished our people who are mainly farmers.
“This constant and calculated provocative destruction of our farmlands has shown that the Fulani do not want an end to these heinous acts”.
“We therefore wish to call on government and the security operatives to double efforts in apprehending those behind all these evil acts and bring them to book”, Auta stated.
