PRESS RELEASE

Thursday 23rd January, 2020

Once again we are in grievous mourning over the macabre execution of a bright and agile son of Plateau State Mr Daciya Ropvil Dalyep a native of Jing Pankshin Local Government Area, by Boko Haram in a vile video which surfaced on the internet on Wednesday 22nd January, 2020. The student of Biology Education Department of University of Maiduguri who was abducted on 9th January, 2020 on his way to Maiduguri where he schools, was one of us, and his death affects us all.

While we feel the pain from the horror of the kind of death Ropvil suffered, we are now convinced beyond dubitation that it is a dangerous thing to be an indigene of Plateau State living, staying, working, or just passing through Borno State.

In October last year, two of our brothers from Mangu Local Government Area Mr Lawrence Duna Dacighir and Mr Godfrey Ali Shukagham both Aide workers were executed in Borno State about the same way Daciya Ropvil was taken from us. In both instances, the terrorists justified their evil deeds in remembrance of what they alleged Plateau Christians did to their fathers and grandfathers.

Our sister Nurse Jennifer Ukambong must have been lucky to have been rescued from the terror group, and for that we thank God and all the people He used to bring her home to her family. In the same vein, we are praying for Lilian Daniel Gyang, a student of University of Maiduguri from Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area, Bashir Abdulhamis, WHO adhoc staff from Kanam Local Government Area, and indeed all citizens of Plateau State in captivity for God’s secure protection and safety back home.

Consequently, it is now abundantly clear and safe to conclude that we as Plateau people have been targeted by the jihadist Islamic State’s West Africa Province operating in the northeast of Nigeria.

Therefore, we hereby call on the Governor and government of Plateau State, to consider reaching our people in the northeast to begin urgent arrangements for their evacuation and safe return back home. For those of our people who may elect to remain in that region, we call on the organizations they work for, or their institutions of learning, and the Federal Government in collaboration with State Governments of the northeast to take proactive measures to protect them. This is because Plateau lives matter everywhere.

Importantly, the onus lies on the Governor of Plateau State, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong to do whatever is necessary to protect our lives, properties, and heritage. Since we are not safe here at home from the murderous activities of herdsmen, and outside the State in the northeast, there is the need for a convocation of an extraordinary Plateau Security Summit by our Governor to review the state of our security.

Our condolences and prayers go to the family of Daciya Ropvil Dalyep and the larger family of Plateau people all over the the world. May God comfort us all.

~Mangna Yusuf Wamyil
Convener, Plateau Heritage Movement

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Plateau Heritage Movement Mourns Ropvil Daciya Kiiled by Boko Haram, Says Security Agencies Must be More Proactive