Alhaji Haruna Bature, the village head of Sigdin Shehu in Tafawa Balewa local council, Bauchi State has narrated to WikkiTimes how he escaped death but lost his brother, Huseni Bature to lingering ethno-religious conflict in neighbouring Mangu LGA, Plateau State.
Huseni was among scores of herders killed on July 7 when Mwaghavul farmers besieged their settlements.
Bature said not less than 94 houses in the area were razed and several farmlands destroyed during the raid.
In Conflict-ravaged Plateau Community, Farmers Saved Herders from Killings
“We were attacked on Friday, July 7, 2023, by Mwagavul and Operation Rainbow, they killed my brother Malam Huseni Bature, and scores of villagers. They destroyed our farmlands and houses, they burnt down 94 Houses and three motorcycles.
“We are now camping at Sigdin Shehu in Lere District of Tafawa Balewa of Bauchi State,” he decried.
The community head has residential houses in Didim Plateau State – the houses are now ashes. He has another house in Sigdin, Bauchi, where many displaced persons now live.
“In my house in Sigdin Shehu, I hosted about 200 displaced people with different challenges and untold hardship – hunger, no water, our wells were emptied. The orphaned children and the widows of my slain brother are here with me,” he said.
According to Bature, the victims are still squatting across Sigdin Shehu, Anguwan Ardo, Bulli, Layi, Rugan Birni and Dalang villages in the area.
“Over 10 people fell sick and were hospitalized during the three days we stayed with them in my house,” he said.
He pleaded with the government and wealthy individuals to help alleviate the suffering of the victims.
‘JUSTICE’ — A PANACEA FOR PEACE
Bature who doubled as a member of the Peace Committee in Didim village, Mangu LGA proffered solutions to the lingering crisis in Plateau State.
According to him, there is a need for justice and fair play as part of the solutions to the conflicts between Fulani herders and Mwaghavul farmers.
“We want justice for lasting peace. Let justice take its course without fear or favour, irrespective of religion or political affiliation. I want my son to be punished if found guilty,” he stressed.
He also called on the government to be proactive and swift in taking action. “This crisis started about two months ago and the government did not do the needful to curtail it, and the crisis engulfed the whole local council. The government should be proactive and swift in dealing with issues like this.”
WikkiTimes had earlier reported that about 500 displaced persons who survived the Plateau attacks are camping at Mararaban Liman Katagum, a suburb of Bauchi, the capital of Bauchi State.
Plateau has been suffering ethno-religious conflicts within the last decade resulting in the death of hundreds of locals and property worth millions destroyed.
