In view of the incessant and un-ending attacks on Plateau villages, ViewPointNigeria has commissioned an extensive study/analysis to investigate, understand and proffer technical solutions to the attacks.

We used an advanced satellite-based system to understudy villages, which have been frequently attacked by Fulani marauders in order to come up with advance strategies to counter such attacks. This approach is unique in its own right because it is the first time such a technique has been deployed for security management in Nigeria and it departs from the usual/traditional method of insurgency prevention, where our security services simply depend on hear-say or local geographical mapping. If coupled with advance intelligence gathering, this approach undoubtedly provides a full-proof system for insurgency prevention.

In view of the incessant and un-ending attacks on Plateau villages, ViewPointNigeria has commissioned an extensive study/analysis to investigate, understand and proffer technical solutions to the attacks.

We used an advanced satellite-based system to understudy villages, which have been frequently attacked by Fulani marauders in order to come up with advance strategies to counter such attacks. This approach is unique in its own right because it is the first time such a technique has been deployed for security management in Nigeria and it departs from the usual/traditional method of insurgency prevention, where our security services simply depend on hear-say or local geographical mapping. If coupled with advance intelligence gathering, this approach undoubtedly provides a full-proof system for insurgency prevention.

In undertaking this study, ViewPointNigeria employed an advanced satellite based system to zoom-in from outer space, into Plateau villages, focusing on key villages which have been ravaged by attacks e.g., Shonong, Atakar, Rim, Kirim, Riyom, Kuru etc. Below are images of the analysis/study.

Note: In our efforts to help bring an end to the incessant attacks, we met with Senator GNS Pwajok both in Jos and in London and presented our findings to him, with a view of helping his case at the National Assembly. In the last few months, he used these findings in presenting his case at the National Assembly, and we are glad to have facilitated that process. We also met with several high profile Government functionaries in Jos and have presented our findings to them to assist with security processes. Note: because of the sensitivity of the strategies, we are not able to publish these on here, but are simply showing images of the respective areas.

ViewPointNigeria undertook this work strictly on its own volition, without support from any bodies and have wilfully shared this information with the Government as our own contribution to bringing the attacks to an end.

The Analysis:

(1) We begin our analysis by showing a satellite image of Nigeria, with Plateau state in focus. This image was taken by orbit satellites at a 1,577.49km above ground level.

(2) Next, we zoomed into Plateau state (now at 331km above ground level). We have also shown states, which border Plateau (i.e., Bauchi, Kaduna, Nassarawa, Taraba etc). We have done this in order to show key connections between attacks in those states and Plateau. The image also shows villages which have been attacked perpetually by Fulani Marauders (i.e., Vom, Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Kassa etc).

(3) In the image below, we have zoomed into the Plateau-Kaduna states border to understand the relationship between attacks which have occurred in the villages which are in these two states. The image shows both Plateau villages (Shonong, Atakar, Kirim, Riyom etc) which have come under serious attack and those in Kaduna state (Kaura, Kagoro, Kafanchan etc) which have equally been attacked. From our analysis of the modes/types of attacks, it is our belief that the same murderous gang/syndicate who operate in Plateau, also cross the border into Kaduna to wreak the same havoc.

(4) The image below shows Shonong village from 1.56km above ground level. The Shonong river can be seen to feature very prominently, as well as other small settlements in the area. This village was attacked by Fulani Marauders on 4th of January 2014, leading to the death of over 30 people.

Is the STF Incompetent or Complicit in the attacks on Plateau villages?

(5) The image below was taken at 2.04km above ground level and shows the map of Dabwak, which was attacked in 2013 leading to the death of over 7 people. This image is ironic because it shows the distance of the STF base to Dabwak village, which was attacked. The STF base was about ½ km away and yet the attack could not be prevented. So is the STF incompetent or complicit? You decide!

(6) Below is an aerial shot of Farin Lamba, taken at 1.68km above ground level. The settlement has an STF base less than ½ km from it but was attacked mercilessly in 2013, leading to the death of over 8 people. Is the STF incompetent or complicit? You decide!

(7) Aerial shot of Hoss village taken at 1.68 km above ground level. Again this village has an STF in close proximity but was also attacked several times by marauders. Does this show complicity on the part of the STF or incompetence? Again, you decide!

(8) Aerial shot showing proximity of STF base to Foron Junction, where 8 people were killed on the 17th December 2013.

(9) Aerial shot showing Bisichi where 8 people were ambushed and killed on 8th August 2013.

(10) Aerial shot showing Atakar village were 34 people were killed on 2nd March 2014.

The information presented here is proprietary to ViewPointNigeria –no organisation or individuals should use the information presented here in part or full without the express/written permission of ViewPointNigeria. 

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ViewPointNigeria develops a new approach to countering insurgency and ending attacks on Plateau