Mwaghavul youths, under the aegis of the Mwaghavul Youth Movement, have questioned the integrity of the Nigerian Army to continue to be an arbiter in the recurring crises in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The youths said their position stemmed from the military’s continuous false narratives in what has now become known as Mangu genocide.
In a statement by the group’s secretary, Tubwot Joel Sunday, the youths, however, acknowledged the genuine efforts by some patriotic and gallant officers and men who stood on the side of truth.
The statement read: “In light of the resurgence of unwarranted and unprovoked genocide on the peace loving Mwaghavul nation, which had birthed an unbelievable publication/production of the Nigeria Military/Operation Safe Haven, the above-mentioned Youth body wishes to express its deepest concern and disappointment regarding the inaccuracies in the report of the Director, Defence Media Operation in the person of Major General Edward Buba.
“Normally, the Mwaghavul Youth Movement wouldn’t want to join words with the Military because of the institution’s attractive past glory, and the respect we still have for a few of the personnel who have demonstrated professionalism since the travail for the peace of Mangu Local Government Area began. But for the injustice, unprofessionalism and nepotistic approaches of some of the personnel and the report of the most recent incidents in Mangu, we find it very compelling at this point to set the record straight, and to free the world from the error and fallacy poorly garnished and cheaply sold to it by those who owe us the duty of protecting our lives and properties.
“As a mark of proof that the army has in its report, successfully fabricated and fed Nigerians and the world with wrong information about the reality that has bedeviled the Mwaghavul nation, the Okada rider mentioned by the army in its publication did not run into cattle, and he wasn’t killed on the spot by the Fulani terrorists as painted by the security agency.
“The genesis of the recent unrest within Mangu LGA of Plateau State as reported by the Army authority began on January 22, 2024, at exactly 17:45hrs, roughly 60 metres away from the military check point, in-between Mangu and Sabon Gari of Mangu LGA.
“Ebenezer Caleb, an Okada rider had carried a female passenger, by name Mrs Janet Fidelis. These two innocent souls along other commuters patriotically stopped to allow for the free passage of the Fulani boys and their cows as they cross the main road.
“After all the cows, about 200 of them had successfully crossed the road alongside the Fulani boys, an under-age Fulani boy who was left behind then accused Caleb and the Sabon Gari people of disallowing the Fulani to graze on their land, and fearlessly disclosed that he will kill Caleb.
“Immediately, the small Fulani boy attacked Mr Caleb and Mrs Fidelis who both fell from the motorcycle before the very watchful eyes of the Military that had sworn and are paid to protect every Nigerian, irrespective of ethnicity and religion.
“As another Okada rider who was also passing saw what happened, he moved to scare the Fulani boy with a stone-throw so as to save Mr Caleb and his passenger from any unfortunate circumstance.
“The other Fulani boys who were with the cattle and had already crossed and had left the small Fulani boy behind, quickly made a u-turn and joined in inflicting injuries on Caleb and also damaged his motorcycle in the process.
“According to Mrs Janet, his passenger, no action was taken by the military men who were just few meters’ away from the scene. She then ran and called the attention of some youths from the nearby community, Sabon Gari.
“Eventually, it was these youths that came to the rescue of Mr Caleb, Mrs Janet and the other Okada rider whose attention was attracted by the pains and screams of Mr Caleb while he was being attacked by the Fulani boys.
“Sadly, the security personnel who watched what had happened between the two parties from the start, after allowing things to go bad, decided to reluctantly intervene and quickly escorted the Fulani boys to a nearby community called, Aloghom. This happened when they saw the youths from Sabon Gari coming out to help in the rescue of Mr Caleb, who was going through a lot in the hands of the Fulani boys.
“As at 7pm same day, less than two hours from the time the tragedy began, the Fulani mobilised and attempted attacking Sabon Gari community, but they were repelled by the youths.
“The next day, Tuesday, January 23, 2024, following the attempt the previous day, the youths of Sabon Gari became vigilant and decided to keep active surveillance, seeing that no arrest was made by security agents, despite provocations by Fulani, the securities who are being paid with taxpayers’ money.
“In another attempt by the Fulani, in an attempt to protect our community, one thing led to another, and it resulted in a clash and the Fulani took to their heels for safety into a nearby community called, Derkong.
“The Hausa/Muslim community in Derkong then came out to assist the Fulani to fight. After some time, the drama drew the attention of the military men who later joined the Hausa/Fulani to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
“While that was ongoing, the Muslim youths killed a Mwaghavul youth by name, Mr Nanchin Pofi, who resides within their community. After a while, the House of Late Baba Bitrus Zuhumtu, the Village Head of Derkong was set ablaze by them. Many Mwaghavul people were killed, scores injured, and their properties destroyed, while some were looted.
“The killings and burning of houses of Mwaghavul people by the Hausa/Fulani youths in the said community was replicated by their fellows in other communities, starting with Derdep within Mangu LGA. The rapid action appeared to be a highly coordinated and premeditated act by both the Hausa and Fulani.
“It is worthy to note that contrary to the wrong narrative, Mr Caleb is alive and not dead as alleged by the military.
“The Mwaghavul Youth Movement wishes to state categorically that from day one, the Fulani were the people who started manufacturing trouble from non-existing provocative actions.
“It is on record, and heaven bear us witness, that Mwaghavul youths didn’t attack any Muslim community, neither did they make an attempt to rustle cattle belonging to the Fulani, as misconstrued by the Army spokesperson, rather, they only acted in defence when the Hausa/Fulani attacked them, and at any other time the Fulani came on same mission.
“Therefore, the entire Mwaghavul Youth Movement frowns at the motive of the particular publication of the Military, which misrepresented the facts, hence, we consider it very unfair and unjust as it has portrayed the entire Mwaghavul nation in bad light.
“However, this expression of disappointment in the military does not, in any way, undermine genuine efforts of some personnel in tackling insecurity in the locality and elsewhere.
“The Mwaghavul Youth Movement acknowledges and applauds the ferocious energy being put by patriotic personnel in ensuring that Mwaghavul nation reclaims its position as one of the most peaceful local governments in Nigeria, and we’ll continually call on the operatives to do more and be fair to all in the discharge of their duties.”