Attacks: 1,801 killed, 50,212 others displace in Plateau

1,801 persons have been killed in the recent attacks in Plateau State, with 50,212 persons displaced from their ancestral homes, according to a committee set up Plateau State government to look into the killings in the state.  

Vanguard reports that, AVM Bala Danbaba (retd), Chairman of the Committee on Resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) made this known on Monday, while presenting its report to Governor Simon Lalong.

Danbaba said the committee identified 115 communities cutting across Jos North,   Jos South, Bassa, Riyom, Barkin Ladi and Bokkos Local Government Areas, that were affected by the crisis. He said the committee, whose one month mandate was later increased to two months, received 55 memoranda and visited 27 camps where the IDPs were quartered, noting “The only IDPs camp we did not visit was the one at Lere, in the Dorowa area of Barkin   Ladi Local Government.

We could not go there because of security reasons. The committee also visited all the affected communities for an on-the-spot assessment.” He said the committee recommended that the IDPs be returned to their ancestral homes, saying the exercise should be carried out in four phases.

“The committee also emphasised the provision of adequate security in the affected areas,” saying the IDPs were willing and anxious to return to their homes, if security was guaranteed.

Lalong, who received the report, commended the committee for a good job, and announced that the 7-man committee would be responsible for its implementation.