Berom Demands Reclamation of Ancestral Lands from Fulani

• We’re the ones under attack, say Fulani

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

Berom ethnic nationality of Plateau State has raised the alarm, saying their ancestral lands have been forcibly taken away and are now being occupied by the Fulani while over 33,000 of their kinsmen are now rendered homeless in their home state.

Addressing journalists in Jos, the Vice Chairman of Berom Educational and Cultural Organisation (BECO), Chief Iliya Choji Kim, who lamented the wanton killings and destruction of properties in Berom communities, called on the federal and state governments to do everything to sustain the commendable effort they have made in the past two years.

He said: “The native villages that are under occupation must be vacated for the people to get back to their ancestral homes to carry on with their livelihood just like any other law-abiding citizens of Nigeria. These natives are now squatting with relations and other spirited friends.

“The killings in Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Bassa and Riyom Local Government Areas must be properly investigated to fish out those responsible for sanction.”

He added: “Despite that these herders/terrorists have visited our ancestral land with mayhem and are now arrogantly occupying a good number of villages, they are the ones who have the guts to cry foul.”
But in a related development, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) has also decried the wanton killings of Fulani and rustling of their cattle by the Berom.

In a statement by Muhammad Nuru Abdullahi, the Fulani group called on the federal and state government to as a matter of urgency, “intervene and arrest the situation, investigate and prosecute the perpetrators and their sponsors and take any other appropriate action to avert further escalation.”

He said the attacks of Fulani cut across all the three local governments occupied by the Berom, adding that “Today’s attack on herdsmen in Jong village of Ropp district of Barkin Ladi LGA was particularly pathetic considering that Fulani were observing the Ramadan fasting.”

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