The Coalition of Plateau State Indigenous Youths/Ethnic Nationalities has raised concerns, asserting that individuals believed to be herders are actively engaging in the destruction of homes belonging to displaced persons, creating obstacles for their return from the camps.
In a press conference held in Jos yesterday, the group, led by Chairman Com Paul Dekete and Secretary Amb Duwam Bosco, appealed to the government and security agencies to step in and put a stop to these actions.
They alleged that the motive behind these activities is to enable the perpetrators to seize lands belonging to the indigenous communities.
During the conference, Com Dekete emphasized that the ongoing demolition of homes belonging to the displaced is not mere speculation but rather a recurring pattern exhibited by the alleged perpetrators.
He highlighted the gravity of the situation, stating, “As we speak, there are more than 100 communities that have been forcefully taken over from indigenous communities, with the occupants either killed or displaced.”
Furthermore, the group expressed distress over the encroachment on recently attacked villages by armed individuals numbering over 30.
These incidents, according to Com Dekete, exemplify the distressing trend where attackers not only cause harm but also occupy and seize control of the affected areas.
The coalition’s plea for government and security intervention underscores the urgency of addressing the reported destruction and displacement, as they fear a broader impact on the affected communities.
The allegation of land grabbing by the alleged perpetrators adds another layer of complexity to the situation, raising questions about the underlying motivations behind these destructive actions.
