The group, in a statement released by Mr. Davou Choji Davou, it’s Secretary, on June 25, said the killing, which it described as an “ethnic cleansing’, led to the loss of 150 Berom members between Friday and Sunday last week
The Berom Educational and Cultural Organisation (BECO), a socio-cultural group of the Berom People, has said the attack on Barikin-Ladi and Riyom Local Government areas of Plateau State led to the death of 150.
Sahara Reporters had earlier reported that the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) says the raid by suspected herdsmen on three local governments in Plateau State were a retaliation of the loss of cows in recent times.[story_link align="right"]60782[/story_link]
The group, in a statement released by Mr. Davou Choji Davou, it’s Secretary, on June 25, said the killing, which it described as an “ethnic cleansing’, led to the loss of 150 Berom members between Friday and Sunday last week.
The statement reads “BECO is highly disturbed by the painful holocaust, ethnic cleansing and genocidal killings of our people within a span of three days, from Friday to Sunday, with the military being overwhelmed and doing nothing to save the lives of innocent and defenceless women, children, the aged and men in Gashish, Ropp and Heipang Districts in Barakin Ladi Local Government Area and Bachi District in Riyom District of Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
“In the last three days alone, our communities at Razat, Raku, Tanabu, Tison, Kakuruk have witnessed 33 brutal massacre. At Ex-Lands (Gindin Akwati) the death toll is 31, while Nghar villages of Gashish District has witnessed the highest casualties of 67 people brutally killed. In Gana- Ropp village of Ropp District, 33 were killed while in Chik village of Heipang District, two people were gruesomely murdered in cold blood. In Shonong village of Riyom District, the figure is 11. In the last three days, the Berom has lost about 150 members of its community.” It continued.
The group also faults the security agencies for restricting them from accessing the affected areas to search for survivors. It said “What is more disturbing to us is the refusal of the security services to allow us access to the affected areas to evacuate the injured and provide relief to those whose houses have been burnt and property looted.”
He said the victims were held hostages with no help from the security agencies and government.
He further appealed to government to come to their aid by providing adequate security in the areas and giving room for food and medical attention to the injured.
The killings of more than 100 people on Saturday night by suspected herdsmen attacked many villages in Riyom, Barkin Ladi and Jos South local government areas of the state have drawn so many reactions from Nigerians and the international community.
Among them is Oby Ezekwesili, former Minister of Education, who has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to "account for the dead", as Nigeria is not at war.