konga Ad Campaign konga Ad Campaign konga Ad Campaign
ADVERTISEMENT
  • The Membership Club
  • #EndSARS Dashboard
  • PT Hausa
  • About Us
  • Advert Rates
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
Sunday, July 3, 2022
Premium Times Nigeria
  • Home
  • Gender
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Opinion
  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Special Reports and Investigations
      • Health Specials
    • Features and Interviews
    • Multimedia
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Special Reports/Investigations
    • Features and Interviews
    • Multimedia
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects
    • #EndSARS Dashboard
    • Parliament Watch
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • AGAHRIN
  • #PandoraPapers
  • AUN-PT Data Hub
  • Home
  • Gender
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Opinion
  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Special Reports and Investigations
      • Health Specials
    • Features and Interviews
    • Multimedia
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Special Reports/Investigations
    • Features and Interviews
    • Multimedia
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects
    • #EndSARS Dashboard
    • Parliament Watch
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • AGAHRIN
  • #PandoraPapers
  • AUN-PT Data Hub
Premium Times Nigeria
BUA Group Ad BUA Group Ad BUA Group Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
INVESTIGATION: How latest Mambilla Plateau violence unfolded; leaving deaths, destruction

A building razed down in the Mambilla-Plateau attack

INVESTIGATION: How latest Mambilla Plateau violence unfolded; leaving deaths, destruction

byNasir Ayitogo
October 14, 2017
3 min read

For the years he lived with his parents and siblings, Ibrahim Kwarakwara, like other residents of Mambilla plateau of Taraba State, witnessed bouts of ethno-religious violence. Now and again, armed attackers belonging to either the indigenous Mambilla ethnic group or settlers Fulani group, pounced on each other, destroying lives and properties.

The Kwarakwara family survived those attacks until Saturday, June 17. That night, men armed with machets stormed their home in Kwarakwara town in Sardauna Local Government Area of the state with deadly violence.

Eighteen-year-old Ibrahim said he watched from a kolanut tree where he took cover as his father, mother, stepmother and eight of his sisters, were slaughtered.

“It was the worst day of my life,” Ibrahim told PREMIUM TIMES.

That round of bloodletting affected 13 communities including Kwarakwara, Mayo Ndaga, Nguroje, Dorofi, Tamya, Hainare, Bang Three Corner, Chabbal Peluwaje, Labbare and Tep. The others are Barup, Mayo Dule and Tanviya. Most of the victims this time were Fulanis, several witnesses said.

In all, police said only seven people were killed, figures the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, a Fulani group, disputed. The group said about 351 persons were killed, including 11 members of the Nguroje’s family. About 381 people went missing, it also claimed, while over 20,000 cows were killed or stolen and 483 houses or settlements razed.

But the Taraba State Government said the figures were “grossly exaggerated”. PREMIUM TIMES could not independently confirm any of the figures. 

By some accounts, the violence was in retaliation for an earlier attack on the Mambilla group by their Fulani neighbours. Reports of the alleged attack had spread for days and tension mounted with some local government officials urging natives to fight back.

In an article on Daily Trust, the Taraba State governor’s spokesperson, Emmanuel Bello, said the crisis happened after a “Fulani gunman” fired at the chairman of the local government, John Yep’s car in an unsuccessful assassination attempt.

But other residents said the immediate trigger for the crisis was when security operatives, early June 16, arrested some persons in Nguroje town, accusing them of causing unrest in the area and belonging to a Mambilla militia group. 

In response, Mr. Yep allegedly led some youth of the Mambilla ethnic group to Nguroje to protest the arrest which they said was instigated by their Fulani neighbours. 

Cows lying dead after the Mambilla Plateau attack
Cows lying dead after the Mambilla Plateau attack
FILE: A cow lying lifeless used to illustrate the story
FILE: A cow lying lifeless used to illustrate the story

Mr. Yep did not respond to PREMIUM TIMES request for comments. He is currently on suspension, and was not in Gembu town when PREMIUM TIMES visited. His phone lines were also reachable.

Umar Abdulmumin, a youth leader in the area, said the June 7 attacks went on unabated for four days, with little or no help coming from the local and state authorities. The attacks only ended when the federal government deployed soldiers and anti-riot policemen to the area.

“Never seen this level of carnage”

During a visit to the area, the Acting General Officer Commanding, GOC, Third Armoured Division of the Nigerian Army, Jos, Benjamin Ahanotu, said he had never seen a carnage like he saw on the Mambilla plateau.

“Even Boko Haram did not slaughter women and children. But here, I saw young children and pregnant women slaughtered,” said Mr. Ahanotu, a brigadier-general, as he inspected the scene.

He blamed the Mambilla plateau traditional rulers and community leaders for failing to stem the fighting.

“Throughout the crisis, Mambilla village heads and community leaders did not come to the aid of the victims as they just watched them die helplessly right in front of their houses,” Mr. Ahanotu was quoted as saying.

Victim of the Mambilla Plateau attack
Victim of the Mambilla Plateau attack
image2
A building razed down in the Mambilla-Plateau attack
A building razed down in the Mambilla-Plateau attack

“As elders, they did not also make any effort to convey the injured to hospitals, making the victims to lose confidence in the system and to seek medical attention in neighboring Cameroon Republic.”

He blamed politicians for the crisis.

Previous crises 

The Mambilla plateau has witnessed several ethnic crises dating back to the 1970s. There were attacks in 1979, 1980, 1982, 2001 and 2002. In each, the fighting was between the Mambilla and the Fulani ethnic groups.

Each round of violence spiralled in to the next with successive governments failing to punish those responsible for the previous killings.

Thousands of peopled were displaced by the 2002 crisis, with many slipping across the border, 100 kilometres away, into neighbouring Cameroon.

Mambilla is the site of a $5.9 billion federal hydro power project, aimed at generating 3,050 megawatts of electricity. As a result, some politicians told PREMIUM TIMES the crisis was an attempt by the opposition to scuttle the project.

Still, another Mambilla elder, Emmanuel Njiwa, told PREMIUM TIMES the latest crisis was caused by struggle for land ownership.

Mambilla Plateau
Mambilla Plateau

Mr. Njiwa said the Fulani took over most of the land through the “grazing permits they were given to help the then authorities identify grazers for the purposes of tax collection”.

He said over the years, the cattle owners turned the grazing permits into certificates of occupancy, thus acquiring vast lands without permits.

Most Mambilla officials refused to comment on the violence.

The Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Abel Diah, also declined to speak on the matter. Speaking through his spokesperson, Baba Dahiru, Mr. Diah said a judicial panel of enquiry was in place and as such, he would not say anything that may influence its findings.

Internally Displaced persons

The killings resulted displaced about 12, 421 people sheltered in 12 IDP camps. 

Ibrahim Nguroje was registered at the Nguroje camp. Due to the cold weather, most of the IDPs, especially in Nguroje, moved to various houses for shelter.

Other camps are in Gembu, Mayo Ndaga, Dorofi, Hainare, Tamnya/Tuwa, Bang 3 corner, Labarre, Kan Iyaka, Njawai and Mbamnga/Tavia.

The Nigerian presidency had shortly after the crisis, ordered the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to assess the situation and deliver relief materials to the victims as soon as possible.

About 12 trailer loads of relief materials had since been delivered to Gembu, the headquarters of Sardauna Local Government for distribution.

Panel of inquiry 

A few days after the bloodletting was halted, Governor Darius Ishaku set up a judicial panel on the Mambilla crisis to find a lasting solution and to avert its recurrence.

The panel is headed by a serving Taraba state high court judge, Nuhu Adi, and has six other members, including representatives of the police, civil defence and the State Security Services, SSS.

  • WhatsApp
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print
  • Telegram
  • More
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pocket



Support PREMIUM TIMES' journalism of integrity and credibility

Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.

For continued free access to the best investigative journalism in the country we ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.

By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you are helping to sustain a journalism of relevance and ensuring it remains free and available to all.

Donate


TEXT AD: Call Willie - +2348098788999






PT Mag Campaign AD

Previous Post

Dokpesi intensifies lobby for PDP Chairmanship; woos Clark, Aliyu, others

Next Post

Four dead in plane crash in Cote d’Ivoire

Nasir Ayitogo

Nasir Ayitogo

Nasir Ayitogo is a graduate of Theatre and Media Arts from Nasarawa State University, Keffi, where he also obtained a Masters's degree in Public Relations and Advertising. Twitter: @nastogo

More News

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Iyorchia Ayu.

PDP Crisis: Governor Wike’s camp wants Chairman Iyorchia Ayu removed

July 2, 2022
The children while being transported in a police van

Police rescue 50 children from church cell in Ondo

July 2, 2022
Osagie Ehanire [PHOTO CREDIT: @TheglobalhintC]

Nigerian govt to allocate 1% of health budget to family planning

July 2, 2022
Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum

EXCLUSIVE: Under Zulum, Borno can’t account for N414 Million

July 2, 2022
Late Hussaini Muhammad.

“I’ve sacrificed my life for Nigeria,” – Soldier who died in Shiroro attack

July 2, 2022
Rams for sale used to illustrate the story.

How Borno govt spent N150 million to buy Sallah rams in violation of state’s laws

July 2, 2022
Next Post
Four dead in plane crash in Cote d’Ivoire

Four dead in plane crash in Cote d’Ivoire

Osinbajo celebrates Pastors Adeboye, Olukoya as UNILAG's 'firsts'

Read All Comment

Search

AUN-PT Ad




Access Bank Ad







Subscribe to News via Email

Enter your email address and receive notifications of news by email.

Join 13,450 other subscribers.

Advertisement




netherland biz school Advert



ADVERTISEMENT

Our Digital Network

  • PT Hausa
  • Election Centre
  • Human Trafficking Investigation
  • Centre for Investigative Journalism
  • National Conference
  • Press Attack Tracker
  • PT Academy
  • Dubawa
  • LeaksNG
  • Campus Reporter

Resources

  • Oil & Gas Facts
  • List of Universities in Nigeria
  • LIST: Federal Unity Colleges in Nigeria
  • NYSC Orientation Camps in Nigeria
  • Nigeria’s Federal/States’ Budgets since 2005
  • Malabu Scandal Thread
  • World Cup 2018
  • Panama Papers Game
  • Our Digital Network
  • About Us
  • Resources
  • Projects
  • Data & Infographics
  • DONATE

All content is Copyrighted © 2020 The Premium Times, Nigeria

No Result
View All Result
  • #PandoraPapers
  • Gender
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Health
    • COVID-19
    • News Reports
    • Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Health Specials
    • Features
    • Events
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Research & Innovation
    • Data & Infographics
    • Special Reports/Investigations
    • Investigations
    • Interviews
    • Multimedia
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • #EndSARS Dashboard
  • Projects
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • Parliament Watch
    • AGAHRIN
  • AUN-PT Data Hub
  • Opinion
  • The Membership Club
  • DONATE
  • About Us
  • Advert Rates
  • PT Hausa
  • Dubawa NG
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Digital Store

All content is Copyrighted © 2020 The Premium Times, Nigeria

Our website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.