The National Chairman of Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM), Mr Samson Tsok has stated that over 200 Berom natives have been killed in the past six months in their ancestral homes by Fulani herdsmen.

Tsok who was speaking during a press conference in Jos said that “Between October 5, 2014, and May 24, 2015, a total of 202 human lives, mostly women and children, have been lost. This is aside the destruction of homes, farm produce, mowing of crops and looting of other properties and valuables worth over N5 billion.”

He said that the ongoing killing of his kinsmen in the northern zone of the state was lamentable and that people have been forced out of their homes. He stated that the gunmen have taken over the boundary communities of Gashish, Bachi and Mahanga in Riyom and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas (LGA) while Ropp and Foron are under constant attacks.

The BYM Chairman said that the herdsmen usually sack the communities and set up militant bases where they constantly mobilise to launch further attacks. He added that most of the casualties are usually women, children and the aged.

He said “The question we are asking is whether the Beroms have lost their natural and customary rights over their land? Why are the authorities so reluctant in stemming or even cautioning the Fulani attackers and aggressors? Why has the STF personnel failed to apprehend the attackers when they are known and identified by the locals”.

Tsok called on the authorities at all levels to act fast and dislodge the “terrorists” as the situation seems to be escalating.

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Over 200 Beroms killed by Fulani herdsmen in the past 6 months – Samson Tsok