It is ridiculous, it is total absurdity, it is the stuff folklore is made of, it is laughable, it is inexplicable and totally unacceptable that Nigerians are being deported from Nigeria by fellow Nigerians? Whatever happened to the constitutional right of a citizen to unfettered access to every nook and cranny of his choice in his own country? Where is the official boundary line for a citizen in his/her own country? What an arrant nonsense that these Biroms of Plateau State are forcibly removing and shipping away, fellow Nigerians of Fulani ethnicity, from their state territories? Icheoku says, it is as convoluted as it is provocative that this is happening in 21st century Nigeria; with some Nigerians being forcibly told by some other Nigerians that they are not Nigerian enough to live in and call some parts of Nigeria home! One wonders what then is the use of the entity called Nigeria when some Nigerians therein, cannot freely exercise their rights of citizenship fully, through habitation of any place they choose, within Nigeria's territorial space? Why still continue to maintain that albatross where membership of it are strictly restricted to the area where each comes from? Today it is Plateau State declaring Nigerian Fulanis person non grata in their state; who knows whose turn it shall be tomorrow? What happens were the Fulanis to become so infuriated and decide to retaliate, by forcing the hands of their governors to deport other Nigerians, especially the Biroms of Plateau State living in their midst? Icheoku says, this will be the unravelling of the fragile bond holding Nigeria together, so the authorities must therefore act decisively to reverse this thoughtless and senseless action of the Plateau State government before it heralds the end of Nigeria as we know it.
The headline, "Plateau deports 20,000 Fulani – FULDAN chairman" is what every right thinking Nigerian should be really ashamed of; otherwise how do you explain that citizens of a country are drastically limited as to where they can call home in their own supposed country? According to the reports, the National Chairman of the Fulde (Fulani) Development Association of Nigeria (FULDAN), Malam Ahmad Usman Bello, said that about 20,000 Fulanis have been deported from Plateau State to some states in the North-West.
This sinister action of Plateau State government amplifies and mirrors what the late coupist, Gideon Orkar, attempted to do during his failed coup against Ibrahim Babangida regime; when in a similar vein, he announced that five northern states have been excised from Nigeria? Icheoku asks, do these Middle-Belters of Benue-Plateau region really mean well for Nigeria? Do they know that they are undermining the structural integrity of Nigeria by their actions and utterances? Their being neither north nor south, compounds the matter as they are not even capable of an independent existence, assuming they are let go or allowed to go? But they have now become the real problem and troubled child of Nigeria who must be check-mated before they force Nigeria down the drain-pipe into the sewer.
Icheoku is not particularly a fan of the 'one-Nigeria', as is currently being run aground; but until a national sovereign conference resolves some of the vexing issues in Nigeria, let no one take matters into their hand to decree some artificial "international boundary lines" within the same country! Until the parameters for Nigerians continued co-existence or otherwise is clearly spelt out, let every Nigerian have the inalienable citizenship right to thrive, unencumbered, in any town or village or locality or state or region of his/her choice without let or hindrance.
It is on this premise therefore that Icheoku condemns and unequivocally too, the mindless and thoughtless deportation of some Nigerians by fellow Nigerians and from Nigeria? To where then, one may ask? Icheoku responds, to their own section of the country? And someone still calls this 'one-Nigeria'? In the year 2009, this cannot be happening after 49 years of independence and a tolerated co-existence of the peoples of Nigeria; and therefore should and must be stopped. Plateau State did not act right, their action is abhorable and shameful and militates against the fabric of the Nigerian State! Such deportation must not be allowed to stand, if the Nigeria State is to be sustained and therefore must be reversed and forcibly, if need be.
The headline, "Plateau deports 20,000 Fulani – FULDAN chairman" is what every right thinking Nigerian should be really ashamed of; otherwise how do you explain that citizens of a country are drastically limited as to where they can call home in their own supposed country? According to the reports, the National Chairman of the Fulde (Fulani) Development Association of Nigeria (FULDAN), Malam Ahmad Usman Bello, said that about 20,000 Fulanis have been deported from Plateau State to some states in the North-West.This sinister action of Plateau State government amplifies and mirrors what the late coupist, Gideon Orkar, attempted to do during his failed coup against Ibrahim Babangida regime; when in a similar vein, he announced that five northern states have been excised from Nigeria? Icheoku asks, do these Middle-Belters of Benue-Plateau region really mean well for Nigeria? Do they know that they are undermining the structural integrity of Nigeria by their actions and utterances? Their being neither north nor south, compounds the matter as they are not even capable of an independent existence, assuming they are let go or allowed to go? But they have now become the real problem and troubled child of Nigeria who must be check-mated before they force Nigeria down the drain-pipe into the sewer.
Icheoku is not particularly a fan of the 'one-Nigeria', as is currently being run aground; but until a national sovereign conference resolves some of the vexing issues in Nigeria, let no one take matters into their hand to decree some artificial "international boundary lines" within the same country! Until the parameters for Nigerians continued co-existence or otherwise is clearly spelt out, let every Nigerian have the inalienable citizenship right to thrive, unencumbered, in any town or village or locality or state or region of his/her choice without let or hindrance.It is on this premise therefore that Icheoku condemns and unequivocally too, the mindless and thoughtless deportation of some Nigerians by fellow Nigerians and from Nigeria? To where then, one may ask? Icheoku responds, to their own section of the country? And someone still calls this 'one-Nigeria'? In the year 2009, this cannot be happening after 49 years of independence and a tolerated co-existence of the peoples of Nigeria; and therefore should and must be stopped. Plateau State did not act right, their action is abhorable and shameful and militates against the fabric of the Nigerian State! Such deportation must not be allowed to stand, if the Nigeria State is to be sustained and therefore must be reversed and forcibly, if need be.
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Christy 'Apena' Essien-Igbokwe , the wife of Jegede Shokoya of the New Masquerade and Nigeria's lady of songs is dead; she was 51years old. Although her family claimed that "brief Illness" killed her like so many Nigerians; Icheoku retorts that it was most likely AKwa Ibom voodoo and remote control that was used to arrest her. It is on record that she had fallen out with the governor of her native Akwa Ibiom State and have been having a relentless war for political turf with the governor? So who knows whether she was sacrificed to Ekpe cult or even Alusi-Okija as an offal; afterall African science is still very much alive and portent. May her soul rest in peace.
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Well this is Nigeria, you know. There is nothing strange in that country. It is absurd that this is happening, but when you think about it this is Nigeria where all nonsensical stuff happens. There is no functioning government in that country. No one steps up to advocate for people's rights and this is what you get in return.
ReplyDeleteWhy Nomadic Fulanis Were Evacuated’
ReplyDeleteFrom Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Seriki Adinoyi in Jos, 05.11.2009
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Plateau
Plateau State Government has explained why it evacuated hundreds of ‘nomadic Fulanis’ from the Wase Local Government of the state, stating that it was to guard against any untowards development following the Jos North crisis of last year which resulted in bloodshed.
This came as the chairman of Wase local government, Abubakar Mohammed Badu, who is also a Fulani Muslim, in an interview with THISDAY, said that the migrants' arrival posed a threat to his people, and as such, had to alert the State Security Council.
Yakubu said that "in 1984, similar migrants were accommodated and they turned out to be bandits and also caused disputes over land ownership among the people," stressing "with this experience, any body could be afraid.”
Addressing newsmen earlier in Abuja, Plateau State Commissioner of Information, Gregory Yenlong, said “ some migrant Fulanis came into Bashar axis of Wase Local Government shortly after the November 28, 2008 crisis that affected some parts of Jos metropolis. “Their arrival which was in 14 trucks immediately attracted apprehension by the local residents who are predominately Fulanis. Their fears were informed by the ugly expriences of 1984 where similar migrants were accommodated and turned out to engage in armed robbery and banditry. Other negative activities of the migrants led to disputation over farmlands with local farmers,” he said.
The commissioner also accused the House of Represen-tatives member representing Wase Federal Constituency, Hon. Idris Ahmed, of misrepresenting facts for sheer political gains, stating that the petition against the state government was aimed at pitching the government against a peaceful muslim community and the country at large.
"The authors of the said petition are not only mischievious, but want to make a political capital out of a settled matter,” the commissioner said, explaining that the state had nothing against muslims in Wase local government or anywhere else in the state.
Fulani Deportees Are Terrorists – Jang
ReplyDeleteWritten by Golu Timothy, Abuja
Monday, 11 May 2009 22:15
The Plateau State government yesterday described some Fulani herdsmen who were deported from Bashar in Wase Local Government as terrorists who invaded the area with a hidden agenda. The government also wondered why a group of people will suddenly appear in large numbers in a place at a sensitive period of crisis with arms, and yet would want to impose themselves on those they met on ground. Speaking with our correspondent yesterday, the state commissioner for information, Mr. Gregory Nyellong, said it was unfortunate that the issue was being given a religious and political colouration when it was purely a security matter. He said, "the truth of the matter is that there were some indigenous Fulani herdsmen who migrated to Bashar in 1984 and have been living there. “Suddenly, four trucks of new sets of Fulani men arrived recently in the area, and were complete strangers to their brothers who are on ground. “The indigenous Fulanis have to raise alarm and these intruders were quickly sent back. “The Wase local government took the action based on security reports made available to it and the state was only informed. So, for any right thinking person to link our governor with it is mischievous." The commissioner added, "Those people are bandits and armed robbers who would have been serious security liabilities to the community. “The emir of Wase and the police and SSS know about it and they acted well to deport the strangers. “The indigenous community have been complaining of their cows being stolen by these bandits. “They became apprehensive of their presence and the proper thing to do is to send them away. Plateau State is for peace, and we will not condone any act that may create another tension." On the exact figure of the deportees, Nyellong said, "Even the entire Bashar population is not up to 20,000, so the deportees cannot be that number. It is just another wild and uncivilised propaganda by fake alarmists who are against peace. “The decision taken is in the interest of peace and security”. Collaborating the position of government, two prominent personalities, Dr. Audu Nanven Gambo of the university of Jos, and leader of the indigenous population, Alhaji Saleh Tanko, said the strangers were foreigners whose mission was not known.According to Gambo, "These people are foreigners who came in four trucks from nowhere. Their mode of entry constitutes a serious threat to peace. They are out to terrorise and execute an agenda and the council acted fast to stop them." For Alhaji Tanko, "We want peace to reign in Wase. Those Fulani that came are not part of us. We don't know them and what brought them. So we have to report to the local authorities and we are happy they were deported back to where they came from."
Icheoku adds, it is dupilicitious for the Plateau State government to allege that these fulanis came from nowhere and at the same time say that they were deported to where they came from? So which one is the correct story here,one may ask?
Jerry Useni reacts to Fulani expulsion
ReplyDeleteWritten by Andrew Agbese, Jos
Thursday, 14 May 2009
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Arewa Consultative Forum, (ACF) retired General Jerry Useni has expressed shock over the recent expulsion of Fulanis from Wase in Plateau State.
The ACF chairman who spoke with newsmen in Jos said the report came to him as a surprise and that he had no idea that such an exercise had taken place until he read it in the newspapers. Useni said when he learnt of the development, he called those in authority and that up till now none of them has been able to give him a clear explanation on what led to the expulsion.
He said he would prefer not to make further comments on the issue until he gets the full picture of what transpired in Wase.
The ACF chieftain expressed shock on the report, saying the only way he could react was to continue to ask those in authority until he had been fully and properly briefed.
Fulani expulsion: lawmaker faults govt’s comments
ReplyDeleteWritten by Suleiman M. Bisalla
Thursday, 14 May 2009
By the inconsistent statements of government officials on the expulsion of Fulani Communities from Wase Local Govbernment Area, the state government appears to be haunted by the ghost of its illegal action, Rep. Ahmed Idris (AC, Wase, Plateau State) has said.
Speaking to Daily Trust on telephone yesterday, the lawmaker faulted the latest claim of the state government that the evacuation was at the instance of the Emir of Wase.
He made the statement while reacting to latest claim by the state government that the Emir of Wase, who is a Fulani man, had requested that the Fulanis be expelled from the area.
“Though I cannot speak for the Emir, I can confirm to you that we have two distinct traditional institutions in Wase Local Government. We have the Wase Emirate and the Bashar Chiefdom and by the rules of the Plateau State government, the Emir of Wase cannot move into the Bashar chiefdom to ask for the evacuation of people,” Rep Idris said.
He said the government must be looking for a soft landing in the matter.
“They first denied knowledge of what took place. About two weeks ago, Mr. James Manock did say that the Plateau State government knew nothing about the matter and that nothing of such happened. Later on, Mr. Dan Manjang said yes, it was done but it was because the people came into Plateau not through legitimate means. We now start asking: what is this legitimate means? Is there any law stating how to get into another state within Nigeria before one can be accommodated?” he asked.
Fulanis boycott Plateau council meeting
ReplyDeleteWritten by Ismail Mudashir, Kaduna
Friday, 15 May 2009
A Kaduna State Fulani Socio-Cultural organisation, Pastoral Resolve (PARE) has disclosed the decision of leaders of the Fulanis to boycott the proposed Plateau State government meeting on the unconstitutional deportation of herdsmen from Wase Local Government area of the state.
A statement issued by the acting Executive Director of the organisation, Malam Saleh B. Momale said the decision to boycott the meeting was informed by the way the state had been handling the matter. “It has come to our attention and other affiliate pastoralists organisations that plateau is calling for a meeting with Nomadic fulani leaders and people over the illegal deportation of Nomadic fulanis from Wase Local government of .Considering the antecedents of the state, the Pastoral Resolve hereby call on all Fulani leaders not to attend the meeting until the agenda of the meeting is clearly defined and its objective made known. It should also disclose the location where it unlawfully dumped the Fulani nomads it illegally evicted.’’ the organisation said.
It recalled that thousands of Fulani were bundled in trucks by security agencies on the orders of governor Jang last month. “As it is, the fate and location of more than 2000 nomads including women and children with thousands of their livestock are unknown. They were forcefully removed and dumped in the forest and neighboring states”, it alleged.
The organization called on Plateau State and the Federal Government to recall the nomads. The State government through its commissioner for information, Mr. Gregory Yenlong had said that the deported herdsmen were only assisted by the state government to return to where they came from as their stay in Wase had become a source of concern to the people of the area.
Wase Fulani: The inside story
ReplyDeleteWritten by Andrew Agbese, Ahmed Mohammed, Mahmud Lalo in Jos & Muhammad Abubakar in Bauchi
Saturday, 16 May 2009
Fulani settlementOn Thursday, May 14, 2009, 48 Fulani people from different parts of Plateau State were summoned for a meeting with Governor Jonah Jang at Rayfield Government House in Jos, the Plateau State capital. The people were supposed to be elders of the Fulani ethnic group in the state, especially the leaders of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN in the 17 local government areas of the state as well as the Hardo who oversee Fulani-dominated wards in certain districts of the state.
But as the different vehicles conveying the Fulani elders were making their way into Jos for the meeting, it became clear that whatever resolution to be reached was not going to be binding on the entire Fulani population in the state as the horde of persons that alighted from the vehicles were not drawn from the Miyetti Allah Association. Weekly Trust was informed that the people were from the Hardo group who were indirectly under the control of the state government and also under the supervision of the district heads of their various local governments.
The Miyetti Allah group, quickly realising this, issued a statement to dissociate itself from the meeting, while pointing accusing fingers at the state governor for trying to decimate the population of the Fulani in the area. The state government had scheduled the meeting with the Fulani to explain to them the circumstances that led to the recent expulsion of the over 2,000 members of their kin from Bashar District of Wase Local Government Area.
Barely two weeks after the recent expulsion of the Fulani from Wase became public, there were apprehensions from many Fulani in Plateau State that the state government was planning to flush out the entire Fulani population, saying also that the recent expulsion marked the initial step in achieving the plan.
Governor Jang, according to sources in the meeting, which had in attendance the Emir of Wase, Alhaji Haruna Abdullahi and the Rekna of Bashar, Alhaji Idris Adamu, however, did not offer any fresh explanation over why the Fulani were expelled. He only echoed the earlier excuse given by the state Commissioner for Information, Gregory Yenlong, which is that the Fulani were not expelled as largely reported, but were only assisted to leave the area based on the concerns and reservations expressed by residents of neighbouring villages where they were residing.
But both the explanation and assurances given by the governor rather than assuage the fears of other Fulani in Plateau State only heightened them. This, according to the Fulani, is because of the manner in which the state government is going about the issue, which even though it has admitted was done in breach of their constitutional right, has not up till now offered any word of apology over the gaffe.
The leaders of the Miyetti Allah group which boycotted the Jos meeting, Alhaji Boro Husseini and Mallam Nuru Muhammad, said the few of their members that attended the meeting were hoodwinked into doing so as they were put into government vehicles and driven to Government House under duress. They also claimed that those at the meeting were not their true representatives. “We hereby dissociate our association and the entire Fulani of Plateau State from the outcome or decision of this coercive meeting held by the governor with the Ardo under an atmosphere of intimidation, deceit and manipulation in order to subvert the course of justice,” it stated.
They stressed that whatever resolution the state government may come out with at the meeting does not represent their views as the two co-chairs of the association as well as 15 out of the 17 chairmen of the association in the various local government areas were absent at the meeting. They insisted that no true Fulani would attend the meeting with the state governor knowing full well what the government had done to reduce the population of the ethnic group in the state. They alleged that the governor has never hidden his phobia for their presence and that his plan to reduce their population is also well-known.
But from the explanation given by the governor at the Thursday meeting, it appears that after initially denying knowledge of the exercise in which an estimated 2,000 Fulani, including women and children, were expelled from Wase, he has decided to hold on to the latter explanation, which is that it has no hand in the exercise and that it only provided assistance for the Fulani to move after having received complaints from other villagers there.
The Commissioner for Information, Yenlong, further explained that each of the groups that were shipped out in 14 trucks was assisted to relocate to “where they came from” and that they were then taken to different parts of some northern states in the country. Sources said the Bashar route has been a thriving grazing route for Fulani herdsmen for some years, and that in certain periods, the population of livestock in that area is particularly high given the influx of herdsmen looking for pasture for their flock.
Investigations also showed that these herdsmen had indeed sauntered into the Bashar area whenever they’re looking for greener pastures in batches, taking along with them their herds of cattle, wives, children and other family members.
Our correspondents gathered that it was the involvement of the family group of Fulani in the exercise that informed the decision of the state government to make the operation as discreet as possible so as not to incite other members of the ethnic group from the state. The accusation is coming at a time the state government is yet to clear itself of a similar one occasioned by the recent crisis in Jos North Local Government.
This time around, to prove it was not the mastermind of the expulsion, the government has since attributed the idea and execution of the project to the chairman of the local government, Mohammed Abubakar Badu, who accepted that he acted based on the complaints he received from other residents of the area concerning the Fulani population.
While trying to exonerate the state government, Badu claimed that since he is a Fulani man, he stands to gain nothing if he partakes in an exercise that would decrease the population of his people in the areas, stressing that the action was devoid of any political, ethnic or religious reasons. But many have picked holes in his explanation. They claim that he used to shy away from any comment on the episode till he was warmly embraced by the state government at the press conference it organised.
When contacted by our correspondents to make further clarification on what he said at the press briefing, Badu declined, stating that he had said all that needed saying at the government-organised press briefing.
Just like the Ardo, there is great suspicion that the local government chairman who is said to owe his election success to the support of the government may have been given a script to act upon. They feel that his explanations belie the fact that the local government on its own could have engineered the expulsion and then later invite the state government and other security agencies to come and observe, as he wants to make people believe.
Many have noted that the Wase chairman had failed to disclose who among the expelled Fulani approached him to say they wanted to move and needed his assistance. Many also say his ignorance of the exact population of the Fulani that have been driven out goes to show that he was only co-opted into the act as he would have had such facts at the tip of his fingers if actually the complaint was from him.
In any case, Badu has denied that he wrote any security report to the state government on the issue before the exercise was carried out. He told newsmen in clear terms when asked if it was true that he wrote a security report that he did no such thing. Many say if it was the local government that acted based on the request by the Fulani, then it should have also been able to present those that made the request on behalf of the others, and that if the involvement of the LG government was based on a tip by the state government, then it should have come by way of a memo knowing the magnitude and sensitivity of the action.
Our correspondents also discovered that it was not the local government that approached the military and various security agencies in the state in order to carry out the exercise. According to Weekly Trust findings, the exercise spanned three to four days before the last of the Fulani was finally expelled.
However, there are aspects in the episode that indicate that Wase LG chairman is not entirely innocent of the bid to deplete the Fulani population in the area. Many allege that the Bashar area where the exercise was carried out has never been the stronghold of the PDP in the state and that the area has always posed the greatest threat to the aspirations of the PDP in elections.
The House of Representatives member from Wase, Hon. Idris Ahmed, who won his election on the platform of the AC is from the area and is seen as controlling the politics of that chiefdom.
The belief is that the local government chairman, even though a Fulani man, may have allowed himself to be used to reduce the population of the area for his political survival.
It was noted that before the local government election, the present chairman, Mohammed Abubakar Badu, who was then the PDP candidate, had been worried about how that would affect his electoral chances at that time and in the future. He was said to have complained about how the influx of the Fulani to the area might spell doom for the PDP if allowed to continue.
The chairman however denied this, saying he won his election by a very wide margin and that he doesn’t have to do anything of that sort to burnish his political advantage, which he says is enormous and unassailable.
But it is the state government that bears the highest suspicion as the bulk of the motives fit its design and intention.
The Reknan of Bashar while receiving the House of Assembly delegation to the area said he got reports from his subjects about the influx of more Fulani to the area, but that he was not aware that they posed any security threat. Our correspondents discovered that most Fulani and Hausa in the state have not been comfortable with Jang’s administration.
There is wide suspicion that the governor blames both his personal and ethnic misfortunes on the Hausa-Fulani population and may have vowed to do anything to frustrate their members so as to effectively check their number. The Council of Ulama in the state recently alluded to this in statement, stressing that the governor is highly xenophobic and may go ahead to implement more of such plans if not checked.
The Ulama elders in a statement signed by Sheik Balarabe Dawud, Sheik Muhammad Sani Yahya Jingir and Sheik Alhassan Saeed, said Jang wants to “implement a hate agenda and perpetrate violence against law-abiding Nigerian citizens.”
But the governor was said to have denied this at the Thursday meeting, insisting that the expulsion was done purely because of the reasons he had earlier expressed.
Weekly Trust also learnt that the exercise may have been carefully and meticulously planned by the government and that it was intended to be carried out under the most discreet manner so as not to arouse any suspicion. This, our correspondent learnt was why the initial denial by the state government officials that anything like that had taken place as it was much later, when the facts became glaring that the state government accepted something like took place but preferred to spin the whole idea on the local government while admitting only minimal involvement.
Our correspondents also found out that the idea for the expulsion had been an agenda at a state security meeting where it was fully deliberated upon before it was eventually carried out. The government is also suspected to have bankrolled the expense for the operation which was said to have gulped millions of naira.
The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Mohammed Lerama, when contacted said he was busy with the security arrangement of the coronation of the Gbong Gwom hence he could not comment.
But a senior police officer in the Plateau State command, who preferred not to be named, confirmed that it was the Plateau State government that ordered the expulsion of the Fulani from Wase and that the matter was discussed at the State Security Council meeting.
Trailing the expelled
Though the exact location of all the expelled Fulani remain largely unknown, Weekly Trust traced a family of 30 to their new settlement, a village called Kampani in Ganjuwa Local Government Area of Bauchi State, which is about 50 kilometres away from Bauchi town. Our correspondent, who was part of a team of journalists led by the Pastoral Resolve (PARE) and the Bauchi State Agency for Nomadic Education met with the expelled Fulani.
Narrating his ordeal and that of the members of his family that included about 10 children among them a three-week-old baby in the hands of Mobile Police and members of the Civil Defence Corps during the evacuation, 75-year-old Alhaji Muhammadu Maikatsari said it was an experience he would never have expected unless during war time.
The ailing and half blind old man said, “They bundled us into trucks with some of our belongings and animals and brought us to Kampani Village. Some of the members of my family were in the bush rearing cattle while others were doing other chores, but they just carried those they met and left the rest behind. We are now scattered. I don’t know where about 10 members of my family are. Only 30 of us made it here.”
The septuagenarian who seemed to still be in shock and could barely speak said they were living peacefully in the area when security men suddenly started chasing them away. When we came to the place about 10 years ago, our boys went to the district head of Bashar and reported our arrival. We will never go back now. We will stay here where we are wanted.”
Hauwa Hussaini, who appeared to be in her 30s, was nursing her one-week-old baby when the strategy befell them. She said she was about to go for her traditional morning bath for new mothers known in Hausa as wankan jego when she heard shouts, and on emerging from the makeshift bathroom, she was bundled into a waiting vehicle by the Mobile Policemen and members of the Civil Defence Corps.
“I was about to take my morning hot bath when I heard commotion. When I came out to see what the noise was about, I saw my family being bundled into a vehicle with security men wielding weapons. I was also not spared. I just rushed into the room and picked my baby up.”
47-year-old Muhammad Sani, another member of the family, also told Weekly Trust that they were driven in a truck under the menacing eyes of security operatives that included Mobile Policemen and Civil Defence Corps leaving everything behind. He said that they had stayed in Bashar in Wase Local Government Area for about ten years without any problem. “Our understanding is that it is the Plateau State government that is behind our eviction. It was like we were slaves captured in a war because nobody gave us any chance to carry our belongings or other members of our family when they came. These little things you see are the only things we were able to grab when they came.”
According to the Personal Assistant to the Bauchi State governor on Miyetti Allah, the moment they heard that the expelled Fulani were taking refuge in Bauchi, they swung into action to find and locate them. “We started the search for them in earnest six days ago (Sunday, May 10) until we discovered this family. We will soon write to the government to immediately come to their aid. We also heard that there are others in Dindima, Alkaleri Local Government Area and some in Ningi.”
Our correspondents were informed that the expelled Fulani are now camped in the middle of a bush completely cut off from life. There is neither a school nor any social amenity around them while their source of water is a stream that is about a mile away from the camp. Weekly Trust also observed that the expelled are still suffering from the psychological trauma arising from their forceful expulsion, because their children ran into the bush when they heard the sound of the approaching vehicles belonging to the Bauchi State governor’s PA on Miyetti Allah group and only emerged from their hiding places after being assured that it was friends in their midst, not foes.
Groups condemn Fulani expulsion
ReplyDeleteWritten by Andrew Agbese, & Mahmud Lalo, Jos
Saturday, 16 May 2009
Two human rights groups have risen in strong condemnation of the Plateau State government for the alleged deportation of Fulani from Wase Local Government Area of the state.
The groups, the Christian Foundation for Social Justice and Equity, and the League for Human Rights in separate interviews said the action of the Plateau State government in expelling the Fulanis is condemnable as it violated their constitution right and the constitution of Nigeria.
Executive Director of the Christian Foundation, Mr. Joseph Sangosanya, described the action of the government as “illegal and uncosntitutional” saying the state government has no right to embark on such an action.
He said this is because the constitution of Nigeria gives everybody the right to move and reside anywhere stressing that since the state government has violated this aspect of the constitution it should be taken to court to account for its action.
Sangosanya, also called on the Federal Government to act immediately to reverse the action of the Plateau State government.
The League of Human Rights on the other hand agreed that it is a violation of the rights of a people for them to be penalised without committing any crime.
The Acting Director of the league, Shamaki Gad is because it has received conflicting reports on the development and wanted to be sure before commenting on it.
Fulani: Jang accuses Daily Trust
ReplyDeleteWritten by Andrew Agbese & Mahmud Lalo, Jos
Monday, 18 May 2009
Governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang has accused Daily Trust of exposing the recent expulsion of Fulanis from Wase. The governor while rounding off a briefing of Fulanis elders he had summoned said he held the publishers of Daily Trust responsible for the kind of interest the deportation of the Fulanis from Wase had generated in the country, saying he would not tolerate such reports any more.
He stressed that the way Daily Trust took up the matter made him wonder what interest the paper represents, adding that whatever the interest of the publishers of Daily Trust, they could not claim to be more Muslim than the Musilm population in Plateau State.
Jang added that if the intention of the publishers of Daily Trust was to take over from him and govern Plateau State, they should go and stand elections and not dictate to the people of the state from “Kaduna. If they want land to build their office, they can come and we will give them, so that they can bring their papers and come and stay so that they can run for governorship and if the people of Plateau State vote for them and they win the election, they can lead them.
“But they should leave Plateau as it is. Because theirs has reached a limit, the people of Plateau State are tired of them. There is no other newspaper that has harped on this issue in the whole of Nigeria like Daily Trust. I wonder the interest they are representing,” he said.
“Do they think that because they are in Kaduna, they are more of Muslims than the people of Plateau? Do they think they can protect the interest of Islam more and that we in Plateau are not bothered about Islam? If that is their belief then they should come and tell us if Islam started with them.
Because we have had enough of their kind of reportage. May God be with us all”. The governor who at the meeting declared that it was the state government that advised the Fulanis to leave the area, said the government’s action was based on the fact that the people of the area had raised some security concerns about the presence of those people in the area whom he said came in trucks and without cattle but said they were awaiting the arrival of their cattle which did not arrive till they were assisted to leave the area.
The meeting convened at the instance of the state government had in attendance the Emir of Wase, Alhaji Haruna Abdullahi and the Reknan of Bashar, Alhaji Idris Adam as well as the chairman of Wase local government, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar Badu, and mainly Hardos (fulani ward heads), and other fulani elders from the state