PLATEAU: 3 KILLED AGAIN, IN BARKIN LADI. BEROM YOUTHS CRY OUT, CALL FOR A CRACKDOWN ON KILLER-MILITANTS

By: Amb. Valentine Adese (JP),

Following the killing of three (3) promising Berom Youths, on the 6^th of November, at about 10. 00am, again in BarkinLadi Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State, the Berom Youths have come out strongly to condemn the killings as they call on security operatives to crackdown on the roving Killer-Militants that have alleged taken over the villages of communities in the Local Government.

According to a Press Release signed by Barr. Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, the National President of Berom Youths Moulder-Association, dated 7^th November 2024, the names of the 3 Youths that were killed on the 6^th of November 2024 are:

1. Mr. Chollom Daniel, aged 27

2. Mr. Jang Joseph, aged 21

3. Mr. Richard Dapel, aged 18,

According to the release, “They were allegedly gruesomely murdered and 2 others injured, while carrying on their legitimate business at about 10:00am of 6^th November 2024 is hereby condemned in its entirety”.  

Adding that, “The recurrence of continued killings, ambushes, assault on women, willful destruction and mass harvest of Corn and other crops belonging to Berom native inhabitants by Fulani militants and criminal gangs in and around Barkin Ladi, Riyom and part of Jos South LGAs, as well as, parts of Plateau State should be stemmed with corresponding military action to avoid degeneration of the situation”.

The Berom Youths Moulder-Association (BYM), used the Press Release to call on security agents, especially, Operation Safe Haven-OPSH to, as a matter of urgency, crackdown on the aggressions daily perpetrated so as not to allow the aforementioned LGAs and Plateau State at large be a theatre of bloodshed as witnessed in the past.

The Body stated, “It's our firm view that the continued killings, ambushes, willful destruction of crops and harvest of our people's farmlands and forceful expansion of territories amongst you others Fulani are not only their deliberate efforts towards total taking over of villages and communities but also attempts to revisit our people with another round of massacre witnessed on Christmas-eve last year.

“We would continue to be peace-advocates in support of the patriotic effort of Gen. AE Abubakar, the GOC & Commander Operation Safe Haven-OPSH. In the same vein, we equally would vow to stand with Plateau State Government, under Barr Caleb Manasseh Mutgwang and also President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in upholding the core values of democracy.  However, the killer Fulani should note that our peaceful disposition shouldn't be taken as weakness”.

“On the whole, we passionately appeal for discreet investigation and arrest of the perpetrators of the killers of our Youths, compensation for massive crops destruction and harvest as well as motorcycles robbed recently within the general area.  We also call for necessary medical support to those injured.

“Lastly, the BYM is making a case to Task Force on Land Grabbing to expedite its process of recovery of lands forcefully taken over and currently occupied by terrorist elements, who would continue making life unbearable by thwarting all Government effort in promotion and projection of peaceful environment within and without”.