After spending three months in Dengi, we finally returned home, but Plateau was never the same again. Reprisal and mindless killings have become the new norm. Friends turned foes, some families now enemies — ever ready to behead each other… Many things went wrong and locals kept living with grudges.
I was not able to follow them home immediately because I was treating the snake bite with an amazing Christian traditionalist. Who would even instruct his son to learn from me. The native doctor realised I was a bit fluent in English.
READ: REPORTER’S DIARY (1): Plateau Crisis — Through The Eyes Of WikkiTimes’ Reporter
Snake bite, I learned was very poisonous, particularly in that region. But with Gos’s favour and the expertise of the traditionalist, i was treated in three days.
Throughout the three days of the treatment, i was with my father. We were to either leave for Mangu or Pankshin in Plateau State where the impact of the crisis was still fresh. Alternatively, we thought of returning to our home state, Bauchi. In the end, we headed to Mangu where my brother would later join us.
Home of Peace turned to pieces
Hitherto, Plateau was popularly known to be Home of Peace and Tourism state. However, the state until end of time would remain a cynosure for tourist. But what about the peace?
The unique scenery, wild sanctuaries, notable waterfalls, eye-catching hills and mountains are the landmark features that distinguished the state and earned it the alreading fading slogan, particularly ‘Peace.’
After the 2001 crises, significant number of people were massacred in Yelwan Shandam unrest in 2004. This was followed by another carnage in Dogo NaHauwa. Subesquently, there were bloodletting in Bassa, Riyom, Jos North, Barkin Ladi and other places.
However, the recent attacks are minimal compared to the 2000s . But with the emergence of banditry, herder-farmer crises and kidnapping for ransom, Plateau has never remained the same.
Evidently, there are three factors fuelling the Plateau crisis. The first is agricultural land; the second is the attempt to establish political authority by “settlers” and resistance by the indigenous population. Thirdly, religion — particularly the conflict between Hausa-Fulani Muslim jihadists and Christian militants.
