A member of  the House of Representatives, representing Barkin-Ladi and Riyom federal constituency of Plateau State, Honourable Simon Mwadkon, who narrowly escaped from Fulani herdmen’s attack during a funeral procession that led to the death of two lawmakers on Sunday, has alleged complicity in the way and manner the coordinated attack was carried out.
Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune in Jos, the federal lawmaker still recuperating from the attack, said events leading to the attack at Matse village and what happened during and after the attack clearly showed that there was a conspiracy between the terrorists and some security agents.

“Before the attack,  a member of the STF asked us to relocate the ambulance we brought to the village on the premise that he wanted to bring in an armoured tank. We complied without wasting time, only for him to bring in [a] Hilux vehicle and used it to block the only access road leading to the village.

“The next thing we heard was a signal shot, which was later followed by the appearance of gunmen from the nearby hills. The entire military men within the vicinity took to their heels, leaving behind a policeman who piloted us. We could not escape because the only narrow road to the area had been blocked by the Hilux vehicle.

“While we were running, there was a gunshot that disorganised us and many of us fell down. The Majority Leader, Plateau State House of Assembly, Honourable Gyang Fulani  and Senator Dantong were unconscious and were put in a separate van. But to my surprise, one hour after I got to the hospital, the two men who left before me had not arrived. When Honourable Fulani was brought, he died in my presence, while Dantong was brought in dead to the hospital. So, something is wrong somewhere,” he alleged.

He  said that the  cause  of the incessant hostilities in his constituency could be attributed to the Fulani expansionist tendency that started with the Usman Dan Fodio jihad of 1804.

He said, “It has been the agenda of the Fulani since the jihad of Usman Dan Fodio, who proclaimed that for the whole North to be Islamised, all the northern minorities must be conquered. It has been the agenda since 1804, when the jihadists failed to capture the Middle Belt region, which they wanted to use as a launching pad to capture the South. It is their belief that once the northern minorities were captured, they would be willing tools for the capture of the South.

“Another reason is the quest for grazing reserves and that was why the House of Representatives killed the bill in grazing reserves because it has caused a lot of havoc in the country.

Mwadkon said that the Fulani could not lay claim to any village, as they did not have any, but were tenants who paid royalty to the people.

Meanwhile, the streets of Jos, the Plateau State capital remained deserted on Tuesday, as residents complied with the curfew imposed on the city by the state government since Saturday.

The curfew was announced by Governor Jonah Jang following a deteriorating security situation after the death of Senator Dantong (Plateau North) and Fulani, the Majority Leader of  the Plateau State House of Assembly.

The duo, according to Major-General Henry Ayoola, Commander of the Special Task Force (STF), slumped and later died at the Barkin-Ladi General Hospital, when unknown gunmen attacked them at a burial ground.

Mwadkon, who also slumped, was however, revived at the hospital.

The curfew covers the four local government areas of Jos North, Jos South, Barkin-Ladi and Riyom.

NAN correspondents who visited some parts of the city and its environs reported that the streets were totally empty as residents remained indoors.

NAN also observed that fierce-looking security men had taken over highways in the city to enforce the curfew.

At the Secretariat junction, in Central Jos, some curfew defaulters were turned back while others were being punished for being on the streets.

The usually busy Yakubu Gowon Way was virtually empty with no vehicles plying the road, although security operatives and government officials could be seen intermittently on the road while playgrounds were similarly deserted.

The situation was the same at other major roads in the city, including D.B. Zang, Goodluck Jonathan, Ahmadu Bello and Murtala Muhammed Ways, with stern-looking security operatives manning all corners, especially flash point areas.

The streets were expected to be empty till later in the afternoon when the curfew would be relaxed for about five hours.

STF spokesman, Captain Salisu Mustafa, confirmed to NAN that the curfew would be relaxed late in the afternoon “if the security situation improved.’’

He said, however, that normalcy had been restored in the areas attacked at the weekend, disclosing that reinforcement had been sent to the volatile areas.

The curfew was initially from dusk to dawn but was reviewed on Monday from  dawn to 12.30 p.m.

Meanwhile, the Senate, on Tuesday, could not sit and postponed the plenary  till Wednesday  in respect of  their colleague the late Senator Dantong, who was said to have slumped and died in a stampede that followed the invasion of Matse village by gunmen in Plateau State.

Dantong, in company of  others, had gathered for the mass burial of victims of last Saturday’s massacre of over 100 villagers in Gashish and Riyom villages in Plateau State before the trouble erupted and lost his life in the process.

Senate President, David Mark, after he signed the condolence register, told newsmen that “we should never get tired of preaching that there has to be dialogue, because that is the only solution. Any other solution is not going to be a lasting solution.”

Senator Joshua Dariye, representing Plateau Central, in his reaction said “one cannot quantify the loss of a life, even if the person was an ordinary citizen. It’s very sad, we’ve been thrown into a moment of sadness.”

Senator George Akume said “sanctity of human life is above all consideration. Once you kill, you cannot get back that life.”

Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekwere-madu, said “this is one of the saddest moments of my life. I have lost a friend and the nation, especially the Senate, has lost a consummate lawmaker in a shameful circumstance.”
Senate deputy whip, Senator Hosea Agboola, said it was painful that Senator Dantong could be murdered while condoling with the people of his senatorial district.

Also, the House of Representatives, on Tuesday, suspended its plenary session in honour of its deceased former member, Senator Dantong.

The Speaker, Honour-able Aminu Tambuwal, who presided over the plenary session, called for a minute silence as a mark of honour for the departed lawmaker and, thereafter, asked Honourable Peter Edeh to pray for the repose of his soul and others who died in the incident.

Meanwhile, terrorists have continued their assault on villages in Barkin-Ladi and Riyom local government areas of the state, with latest attack on Tse and Shong, while no fewer than 140 corpses lay rotten in the two affected council areas.

The member representing Riyom constituency in the state House of Assembly, Honourable Daniel Dem, who confirmed this, said gunmen were still on the mountain top, shooting at people of nearby villages.

Meanwhile, the Special Task Force (STF) has said the two lawmakers who were victims of the attack of Sunday, died due to panic and not gunshot.

In a statement released by the media officer of the force in Jos, on Tuesday, Captain Salisu Mustapher said “the reaction became necessary to correct some media report over the cause of death of the lawmakers.”

Comments (16)

Show/hide comments

...
written by Muazu H. Wali, July 11, 2012

The jihad carried out by Danfodio was not to convert Nigrria into an Islamic State. It was to establish Shsria and Islamic behaviour in areas where Islam was already practiced.There is no jihad now in the sense of 1804 and there is no such agenda among muslims.
With regard to the attacks there is no real identification of the attackers. Fulani tribesmen, assasins. unidentified gunmen. security agents were mentioned. We should continue to pray thst these evil peole will be exposed. Muazu H. Wali

• 
• -5
• 
• 

Nigeriana, Low-rated comment [Show]

THE KILLING
written by Ayee Heatman, July 11, 2012

Muazu H. Wali and Maureen, you are so stupid. my your body and soul be consume by vulture. ass hole.

• 
• +1
• 
• 

FOOLS
written by Ayee Heatman, July 11, 2012

written by Ayee Heatman, July 11, 2012
Muazu H. Wali and Maureen, you are so stupid. may your body and soul be consume by vulture. ass hole.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

GOVERNMENT WEAKNESS
written by Joseph Ubiagba, July 11, 2012

The failure of FG is that the security agents and in particular, the STF is heavily infiltrated by agents of boko haram. Boko haram have said it themselves. But government official who are their members keep threatening their greedy, undiscerning southern colleagues not to believe so that they will not instigate their removal from office. The reason why boko haram has not hit Abuja big time is because their government members are still planning the strategy. Once they are ready, they will chase all southerners from Abuja. It will start with fights between the two groups in the security formations in and around Abuja. Then they would have laid solid foundations in all the states around abuja. Then they will slaughter the bastard Christian dummies currently in gov like goats.

• 
• +1
• 
• 

mass killing
written by c. mendies, July 11, 2012

This is too badthe security personnel we thought are working for D interest of D masses are even D killers.I wonder why some people are making stupid references.there is never a time D xtians killed D muslims. Muazu H.Wali and Maureen, should be very Careful of there Uttrances or statement .

• 
• +1
• 
• 

maureen a disgrace/fool by birth
written by noleen, July 11, 2012

Maureen, u are a disgrace to humanity. what was ur mother doing in hell that she gave birth to a girl without sense but with a devil brain. that is not ur real name, u use christian name so those fanatics will say that even the christian fools like ur type are seen what is been done to them. i wish u boko ham cake too. very soon u will have the gun share of cake.

• 
• +2
• 
• 

Naija!
written by Cynthia Amarachi, July 11, 2012

Where is this country heading to? Shame on our politicians!

• 
• +1
• 
• 

...
written by Dr. J. Hope, July 11, 2012

To my fellow Nigerians, Boko Haram members and their supporters are not real Muslim and therefore should be condemned for advocating the religion of Islam as the reason for their atrocities. Those enemies of state whether they are Nigerians or extremists from overseas that killed or frustrated Nigerians at home and abroad will go to hell!! They are doing everything to tarnish the good name of Islam. “When they meet those who believe they say, we believe. But when they go privately to their satans, they say, we are with you; we are only mocking. Allah shall mock them, and shall lead them on blindly wondering in their insolence.” (Quran 2: 14-15). The president is full of excuses also. The people of Nigeria regardless of their geographical location will back any Nigeria president if the person can provide adequate security for all Nigerians by tackling the menace of armed robbers, the killings of innocent Nigerians by the Boko Haram, end the looting of the national treasury, provide good roads, and gainful employment for all young graduates. Nigerians should not wait for 2015 to change the current Boko Haram and armed robbers PDP government, in fact the people of Nigeria should safe the nation by removing this calamity PDP government. Enough is enough!

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by Bashir Aliyu, July 11, 2012

Simon Mwadkon is a bloody liar. Their predicaments are self inflicted. For the records there was no place called Jos in 1804.The fulanis have been on the Plateau since 15th century. The earlier the Birom accept the fact that they are the belligerents and un accommodating people the better for them. Jos is a shadow of it's self because of the irresponsible conduct of the Birom elites who sees nothing good in other tribes, even those from other parts of the state. No wonder Plateau South and others want to break way and get their own State.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

Start Destroying Mosque
written by Don Marshal, July 11, 2012

Its time to start destroying Mosque from Middle Belt To all areas of south because the whole of these attacks and attackers are from the mosque;

The South acceptance of the North during amalgamation was to help them make use of our water ways and other mineral resources but it has become obvious now that the ingrate we are helping has greedily turned to wipe us by using sharia to claim the land that was not theirs.

Shame to you politicians for there is nothing like one Nigeria in this country...

Look at children of the slave woman Haggai that begat Ishmael where Islam was found has turned to against the hand that fed him...

Shame on you for I am more than conquerors...Christian is more than Islam...Jesus is more than Mohammed of Jihad.

• 
• +2
• 
• 

The Evil doers would not go unpunish
written by Kassi Joel, July 11, 2012

All what Bashir is saying is blatant lies. I do believed that Bashir & his Co vampires will surely pay for the atrocities they committed in this country.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

THE PROBLEM NOW LIES WITH THE PLATEAU INDIGENES
written by Kassi Joel, July 11, 2012

The people of Plateau State especially the other tribes that comprises Plateau State sees these as the problem of Biroms only without seeing it the other way. Mark my words, after they (hausa/fulani) were through with Biroms, they will now advance to other tribes. Plateau State can not summon courage the way Kaduna has been doing. Anything that affect any tribe whether Kaduna or not Kaduna indigine they all join hands together and wrestle the monster call Hausa/Fulani)

• 
• +0
• 
• 

The Senseless Wanton Bloodletting in the Plateau
written by Uncle Sam, July 11, 2012

As a concerned Nigerian, who sheared the pains of the plateau people, I would like to say that enough of the official rhetorical condemnation that have become the order of the day. It is a fact that these condemnation does not guaranteed the prevention of similar recurrence, as was the case again in the locality within the two previous nights.

Would the Special Joint Task Force de-emphasised highway road blocks and using air-surveillance Helicopter study the various deep valleys surrounding and within the Plateau for possible Boko Haram/Fulani militia Camping. This should help check the Gorilla tactic currently employed the insurgents.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by Oscar2000, July 11, 2012

Muazu H. Wali, July 11, 2012
MUAZU HOW CAN YOU MAKE SUCH A STATEMENT???
ITS LIKE YOU ARE ENJOYING THE KILLINGS.
MAY THE LORD HAVE MERCY ON PEOPLE LIKE YOU, AMEN!

• 
• +0
• 
• 

Massacre
written by Yusuf M. Audu, July 11, 2012

Plateau State issue is becoming clear to well meaning Nigerias who pray for peace. Equation of religion is not the issue from your coverage of the State Assembly Member your reporters interviewed. It is not an issue when making reference to 1804 but Nigeria was amalgamented in 1914. Religion is not an issue here because the great great grand son of Shehu Usman Danfodio, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto, ruled the whole North including the so called Middle Belt without a single religious crisis in Plateau. If late Michael Audu Buba were to be alive, he would weep for the atrocity being committed by the Politicians to their people. Politics, tribal politics is the issue. It is against Federal Constitution of Nigeria that allows Nigerians to live places and areas of their choice. I hope both Federal and well meaning Plateau State Officials would come to their senses and stop playing with life's of innocent poor people. Because the issues of migrants is not limited to fulanis but virtually majority of Nigerias.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

Show/hide comment form

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Add Comment