The President of ECWA, Dr. Stephen Panya has accused the 3rd Armoured Division, Nigerian Army, for allegedly failing to stop the attacks on communities in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau state.
In a statement condemning the attacks which led to massive destruction of lives and property, Panya wondered how the communities which, according to him are located behind the Rukuba barracks of the 3rd Amoured Division could come under
such massive attack and destruction without the intervention of the army.
Panya said, “it sad and inexplicable that many of the villages, where these killings and burnings were taking place, are basically located behind the 3rd Armoured Division Barrack of the Nigerian Army, yet, these militias were allowed to continue their heinous murders and carnage without any intervention by the Nigerian Army and other security agencies.”
He said, “This, in the least, is fast eroding the confidence of the populace in the military and other security agencies as unbiased protectors of all devoid of ethnicity or religion.”
The ECWA President called on the state and federal governments to intervene and prevail on the Nigerian army and other security agencies to stop the genocide.
Panya said, fulani militia invaded 15 villages in Bassa LGA, killed people and destroyed more than 405 houses.
He added that about 20,000 people have been displaced and called on the government and well meaning Nigerians to help the victims with relief materials.
“I am pressed once more for the umpteenth time on behalf of the ecwa executive and the ecwa family worldwide to address the world about an unfortunate event taking place right now in Plateau state of Nigeria as follows:
“For over 21 years, the Irigwe people of Miango, a predominant Christian community, have been under attacks from Fulani militia that resulted in loss of lives, properties and farmland.
“The last two weeks, especially from Sunday, July 23rd to Monday, August 2, 2021 have been the worst nightmare of the entire Irigwe land”, the statement said.
According to the statement,
“The Fulani militia, with every of their might have invaded not less than 15 villages, burnt and destroyed not less than 405 houses and churches inclusive, displaced about 20,000 people and destroyed thousands of hectares of farm crops.
“The number of casualty in terms of list of life is still being ascertained
“The main town of Jebu Miango and its surrounding villages such as Kpachudu, Kpetenvie, Nche-Tahu, Tafigana, DTV and Zahwra, are completely burnt down and displaced.
Origwe villages in Kwal and some in the Southern part of kaduna have witnessed similar attacks on within the same period…”
The statement further urged the government to rise up to its “responsibility of protecting lives and property of all irrespective of ethnicity or religion otherwise the country will fast degenerate into anarchy.”
Panya called on the authorities to ensure that the perpetrators of the massacre are fished out and brought to justice.
“We pray that this incident will not end as usual with no single Ak47 wielding militias being arrested and prosecuted while indigenous people who tried to defend themselves with crude instruments are paraded as aggressors as had happened in some past incidences. “Justice must be done and seen to be done”, he said.
The ECWA President appealed the state and federal governments to immediately send relief materials to the displaced and distressed victims of the crisis many who, he said are hungry, helpless and hopeless.
“The government should also deposit funds to selected reputable hospitals for the treatment of the many victims of this crisis who have sustained various degree of injuries.
“We are further calling on all well meaning Nigerians to be their brothers keepers and open up their homes for the displaced persons, provide support for food water and medical services to all the victims…” Panya said.
