By Ezekiel Dontinna
The National President of Mwaghavul Youth Movement (MYM), Comr. Kyesmang Jonathan Yusuf, has raised alarm demanding for the immediate arrest of Mangu Branch Chairman of Miyeitti Allah Cattles Bearers Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and his cohorts over threats to communities in Mwaghavul land.
He made the demand Friday, while delivering his text at the press briefing organised by MYM at the Plateau State Headquarters of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Jos, the State capital.
The President condemned in strong terms the atrocities and calculated narratives of Fulani terrorists on the Mwaghavul Nation and called on all Plateau Youths to unite against the state’s common enemy.
“Recently, a Fulani leader, the MACBAN Chairman of Mangu LGA made threats against the peace of our community in a viral video, and another individual, Bilal Gambo, a former resident at Jwakchan-Kwaghas between Pushit and Panyam District of Mangu LGA, made provocative and defamatory statements against our people.
“At this point, we will not conclude that the security agencies are still pretending not to have read or heard the threats issued by these terrorists. It is not in doubt that the Fulanis have mistaken our people’s simplicity for weakness and stupidity.
“We demand that these individuals be arrested and prosecuted immediately for inciting violence against our people. The Fulani have made allegations against the Mwaghavul youths, claiming they are responsible for criminal acts such as poisoning cows and cattle rustling”, he disclosed.
Kyesmang, also revealed that the Fulani have also accused the District Head of Kombun, Da Gambo Audu Tetmut, for protecting cattle rustlers, but a review of history revealed a different narrative.
He noted that, the Mwaghavul people have long faced aggression from Fulani neighbors particularly, in Kombun District where reckless grazing has led to violent conflicts, specifically in 1969 where a Fulani neighbor killed Dabal of Kobwang.
According to the MYM President, some of similar incidents that led conflicts included: The same Fulani neighbor killed Mr. Kiffi Damwoghos in 1993; Fulani neighbors killed six people in Tidiu, Kombun in 2004 among others
He, however, disclosed that despite these incidents recorded over the years, the District Head of Kombun, Da Gambo Tetmut, demonstrated remarkable kindness during the 2015 and 2023 crises by recovering and returning over 200 cows to one Alh. Dari Mantau in Bokkos LGA at his own expense.
Other gestures recorded by his people was the return of 17 cows to one Alh. Ibrahim who had fled to Mangu; safely kept and returned abandoned goats and 30 bundles of zinc; took an injured cow to the Mangu Slaughter Slab and reunited it with its owner and the protection of four women and some children during the crisis by Rev. Ishaku Danar respectively.
Kyesmang, said, “ironically, despite these acts of kindness, the District Head has been falsely accused, given threats of invasion by Fulani bandits. This situation highlights the complexity of the conflict and the need for a nuanced understanding.
“Whereas, we understand their pain for the loss of their animals, they should report such cases to security agencies who have the expertise to investigate, arrest and prosecute such criminals rather than using such occasions to stereotype or blackmail our youth.
“We detest such cheap blackmail. And if such blackmail are intended to scare us, they would be making a terrible mistake. They better advice themselves as we shall meet them at our gates with the devastating force of our unity and patriotism.
“The leadership of our land has a zero tolerance for criminality. Accordingly, we are also by this press briefing warning all criminals of whatever color or shades to stop using our land as a lunch path to criminality. We will expose all criminals. This is our commitment to Nigeria and Plateau State”, he emphasised.
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