Tarangol Community of Kwatas Ward Bokkos Local Government Area, Plateau State has fired back at Alh. Saleh Adamu, Alh. Umar Ori and Alh. Mohammed Gorte accusing them of trespass, illegal erection of Building, incitement of public disorder and threatening the peace of the Community.
These were contained in a Counter-complain jointly signed by Daniel Peter the Youth Leader, Chikam, Comr. Matta Patrick Danladi Youth President Tarangol, Bitrus Mabur Secretary Chikam Youth and Amos Malo the Community Head of Chikam all in Kwatas Ward Bokkos LGA, Plateau State. The letter was copied to the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Director of the Department of State Services, Member representing Bokkos Constituency, Bokkos Local Government Council and Bokkos Traditional Council.
They said Tarangol a predominantly agrarian Community, has a long-standing history of peaceful coexistence with various ethnic groups, including Fulani herdsmen, in the area. This hospitality they said has been repeatedly exploited by certain unscrupulous individuals within the Fulani community, particularly the aforementioned trio, who have engaged in actions that threaten the peace of our community.
Their full statement reads:
COUNTER-COMPLAINT AGAINST ALH. SALEH YUSUF ADAMU, ALH. UMAR ORI, AND ALH. MOHAMMED GORTE FOR TRESPASS, ILLEGAL ERECTION OF BUILDING, INCITEMENT OF PUBLIC DISORDER, AND THREATENING THE PEACE OF TARANGOL COMMUNITY, BOKKOS LGA, PLATEAU STATE.
We write on behalf of the entire Tarangol Youths and community of Kwatas Ward, Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.
We wish to formally counter the baseless and malicious claims made by the trio of *Alh. Saleh Yusuf, Alh. Umar Ori and Alh. Mohammed Gorte, through their letter dated 23rd August, 2024, addressed to theTarangol Commissioner of Police, Plateau State wherein two youths of Tarangol were falsely accused.
It is of public record that the Tarangol community, predominantly agrarian, has a long-standing history of peaceful coexistence with various ethnic groups, including Fulani herdsmen, in our area. This hospitality, however, has been repeatedly exploited by certain unscrupulous individuals within the Fulani community, particularly the aforementioned trio, who have engaged in actions that threaten the peace of our community.
BACKGROUND OF ATTACKS AND TENSION
Since January 2018, Fulani herdsmen have consistently attacked and terrorized our community, resulting in the brutal deaths of over 50 people and the destruction of property worth millions of naira.
Just last week, we lost two promising youths, Mr. Irmiya Iliya and Mr. Bitrus Musa, who were coldly murdered by these herdsmen. Further aggravating the situation, Fulani herdsmen trespassed on community land at Chikam (Garau), Tarangol District, and illegally began constructing buildings without seeking or obtaining the community’s consent.
In response, we peacefully requested their withdrawal and advised them to vacate the land earlier this year. Despite this, they have refused to leave, and their continued presence has resulted in ongoing destruction of our crops and additional violence.
FALSE CLAIMS IN THE LETTER TO THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
The letter written by Alh. Saleh Yusuf, Alh. Umar Ori, and Alh. Mohammed Gorte to the Commissioner of Police is not only filled with falsehoods but is clearly aimed at inciting violence and causing unrest. Their claims include:
- The existence of a “Fulani community” in Chikam (Garau).
- Allegations that two of their cows were shot by security personnel.
- Allegations that their huts and foodstuffs were burned.
We categorically state that these claims are false. There is no Fulani community in Chikam or anywhere in Tarangol District. Their allegations are designed to distort the truth and vilify our peaceful community.
We believe that this letter was maliciously written to provoke conflict, disrupt the peace, and create unnecessary fear and insecurity within Tarangol.
CLARIFICATION ON THE RECENT EVICTION OF INTRUDERS IN TARANGOL COMMUNITY
It should be noted that law enforcement agents were recently deployed to Chikam to remove strange Fulani herdsmen who had forcefully occupied our land without any legal or customary claim. These individuals were not native to the area and their presence was a source of tension, as they continued to allow their cattle to destroy our farmlands.
Importantly, Alh. Nuhu Ibrahim, a Fulani who had been living peacefully in our community for some time, was not targeted or driven out. He voluntarily chose to leave a few days after the intruders were evicted.
The actions of Alh. Saleh Yusuf, Alh. Umar Ori and Alh. Mohammed Gorte, including their submission of unfounded accusations to the Commissioner of Police, are deliberate attempts to cause disunity, incite violence, and disrupt the fragile peace of Tarangol. They are not members of Chikam and their actions should be seen for what they are. A calculated effort to create chaos where there has been none.
We, therefore, urge the relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate the actions and intentions of these individuals. Their behavior threatens public order and the peace of our community.
We trust that this counter-complaint will receive the urgent attention it deserves to prevent any further breakdown of law and order in the region.We also reiterate that our community has remained law-abiding, refraining from retaliatory actions despite the immense losses we have suffered. However, we implore the security agencies to swiftly intervene, as the situation could escalate if not addressed promptly.
Daniel Peter
(Youth Leader, Chikam)
Comr. Matta Patrick Danladi (Youth President, Tarangol)
Bitrus Mabur
Secretary Chikam youth
Amos Malo
Mai Angwan, Chikam
Cc:
The Executive Governor of Plateau state
Little Rayfield
Plateau State
The commissioner of Police
Plateau state command Joseph Gomwalk way
Plateau state.
The Director of State Security Services
Plateau state command
Jos.
The member Representing Bokkos
Plateau state House of Assembly
Plateau state.
The Executive Chairman Bokkos Local Government
Bokkos Traditional Council.
Bokkos LGA,
Plateau state.
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