A socio-cultural organisation under the aegis of Berom Educational and Cultural Organisation (BECO) has petitioned the Plateau State Security Council over what it described as “a dangerous build up to the possible eruption of violence” in Barkin-Ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas of the State.

BECO in a petition dated 30th May, 2016 and addressed to the Chairman of the State Security Council, and a copy made available to journalists in Jos yesterday, said it decided to take the action following the recent killings, harassments, road ambushes, indiscriminate and very provocative grazing practices as well as mowing of crops and vegetable gardens by the Fulani herdsmen in Barkin Ladi and Riyom LGAs.

The Petition which was signed by BECO General Secretary, Davou Choji Davou, reads “for the avoidance of doubt, in the last one month, four Berom people have been killed in Zim, Kwok, Dajak-Shopp and Hoss while other dastardly acts have been witnessed in Byei, Jol and Shonong.

The statement added that, these Berom communities are being pushed to the walls by “forceful displacements, siege, reign of terror, ambushes and other forms of violence.”

BECO said the development is causing fear, anxiety and tension with the possibility of erupting into violence in the two councils.

The statement observed with regret that these rounds of attacks and killings are coming at a time when both the people and government have started celebrating the return of peace in the State.

The group stressed that, it is incumbent on all citizens and all peace loving people of goodwill to draw the attention of the State Security Council to this dangerous trend before it degenerates into a major violence.

“This memo to the State Security Council of the state is in addition to the several reports already lodged with the relevant units and divisions of the Nigerian Police Force, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), operative of the Directorate of State Security (DSS), and indeed the respective Local Government Councils.

“It is in view of the above that BECO is constrained to write the State Security Council because the raining season is most critical to the Berom who are predominantly peasant farmers.

“They have in the past suffered serious disruptions, dislocations, setbacks and losses as a result of sustained aggression, attacks and sundry hostilities meted on them by Fulani militia and their cohorts. Presently, Berom farmers are in dire need of protection and security as they work their farm lands”.

The petition also drew the attention of the State Security Council to the plight of IDPs in Berom land, saying it is yet to receive the necessary governmental action it deserves; “currently, the intervention of government and other non-state actors in Plateau state has limited to incomprehensive coverage and symbolic donation that cannot sustain the rebuilding their own lives by themselves”

BECO reiterated that the Berom are peace loving and very accommodating, but regretted that they have had to contend with the forces of terror and conquest imposed on its people in their own land.

They assured that the Berom as a people are resolved to support government and indeed all individuals and institutions of goodwill struggling to achieve sustainable peace and progress in the state and beyond.

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BECO petitions Plateau security council over activities of herdsmen in Riyom and Barkin Ladi