Olusegun Ariyo
Victims of a recent attack in the Mwar community of Chakfem Chiefdom in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State have cried out over their inability to harvest their crops as a result of the invasion of their community by suspected Fulani bandits, who have not only destroyed their farmlands but have also stopped them from harvesting their crops.
According to a youth leader in the community, Ayuba Yunana, the bandits have taken over their farms and have dared them to go in and harvest their crops.
Yunana, who spoke to Journalists on Friday, said as a result of the dangerous incursions into their village by the bandits, they are afraid to go to their farms for fear of being attacked or killed.
“We are in a very dire situation as a result of the incursion of Fulani bandits in our village,” Yunana said.
He stated that the community had been attacked several times, and that this time, the heavily armed bandits had not only taken over their farms where they grazed their cows and destroyed their crops, which were ripe for harvesting, but had also dared them to go to the farms and confront them.
He added that as a result, the people who are mainly farmers and depend on their farm produce for their sustenance have been thrown into severe hunger.
“The consequences have been catastrophic for our people, who are mainly farmers. We are a farming community with almost 90 percent of the people depending on their farm produce for their livelihood,” Yunana said.
“In Mangu, Mwar has one of the most fertile lands, and we are known to be major farmers of maize, guinea corn, Irish potatoes, cocoyams, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and onions. We also farm vegetables like lettuce, cabbage, and garden eggs.
“Some of our people engage in rearing livestock like cows, pigs, goats, and sheep, but whenever the Fulani people attack us, they not only destroy our farms but they also steal our food items and livestock,” he said.
Yunana opined that the strategy of the attackers is to impoverish the people and cause famine in the community.
“Our people are hungry and desperate because the bandits have taken over our lands. They are even bragging that anyone who dares to challenge them will face their wrath, which includes killings and more attacks.
“We are here by calling on the government and security agencies to come to our aid because our people, especially our women and children, are suffering,” Yunana added.
