At least 346 persons have been killed while about 18,751 others have been displaced within three months in eight Local Government Areas in Plateau state.
This was contained in a report released by The Gideon and Funmi Para-Mallam Peace Foundation on Thursday in Abuja.
The report said of the number, over 200 lives were loss to sustained violent attacks in Mangu LGA alone as of Saturday, July 8, 2023.
The report signed by The Founder and Executive Director of the Foundation, Rev. Gideon Para-Mallam said the displaced persons were taking refuge in 14 camps in the state.
According to the report, 17 people were killed in Bokkos, 234 in Mangu, 39 in Barkin Ladi; 36 in Riyom; five in Jos North 5; nine in Jos South; five in Mikang and one in Bassa LGAs.
Para-Mallam said the 14 IDP camps are hosted by the Church of Christ in All Nation (COCIN) Local Church Councils.
According to him the statistic of the IDPs shows that 2,081 are widows while 6,066 are orphans between the ages of 0-5 years old.
Para-Mallam said old people account for 1,057 while teenagers and adult orphans are 828.
The report said a total of 6,603 households were affected by the deadly attacks by bandits.
Para-Mallam decried the killings going on in Mangu LGA and called on the authorities to take urgent steps to stop it.
He condemned the federal government for its inability to tame the killings.
He said, “Take it or leave it, a foundation for full-blown nationwide terrorism is being laid.
“No country should localise and allow acts of terror on its citizens. Whatever the motivation behind these attacks on the Plateau, the fact remains – people are being killed in their hundreds.
“The burden of these killings should not rest only on the shoulders of the new governor of Plateau state, Caleb Muftwang.
“The burden should not also rest only on the shoulders of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“In fact, the burden rests on the shoulders of all Nigerians. The MDAs have a role to play in the search for peace and so also Miyetti Allah in seeking an end to the killings and finding ways to save lives and property.
“There is wisdom in collective action devoid of finger-pointing or political calculations.
“The lives of all the citizens of Mangu LGA residents matter.
“What is happening in Plateau State has an impact on Nigeria. “What’s more, what is happening in Nigeria has global consequences in the medium and long run. It is time to act and stop localizing Plateau’s killings fields. The time to put an end to violence in Plateau State and Nigeria is now.”
No fewer than 346 killed, 18,751 others displaced within three months in Plateau
