In order to allow the security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged murder of a Fulani leader in the Panyam District of the LGA, Ardo Adamu Gabdo, the leadership of the umbrella organisation of the native tribes in the Mangu local government area of Plateau State, the Mwaghavul Development Association, MDA, has urged the locals to refrain from any form of protest.
The body also encouraged the security authorities to look into the sporadic killings that are still occurring in the region, particularly the murders of Panshak Peter, Ishaku Zumuk, and Yakubu Sokyes in the Panyam and Pushit districts of Mangu, in the interest of fairness and justice.
“The Mwaghavul Development Association (MDA) is greatly disturbed by events of the past few days following the alleged killing of the Ardo of Panyam District, Alhaji Adamu Gabdo,” said Chief Joseph Gwankak, the organization’s national president, in a statement released in Jos. This incident, which has moved the clock back towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict between the people and the Fulani in Mangu Local Government Area, has left us deeply upset.
“As peace-loving people, we are not happy about any life lost, having gained a significant milestone in the peace-building efforts. We want to commend security agencies in the state especially Operation Save Haven, the Police and allied agencies – DSS, Civil Defence, and Operation Rainbow, for their proactive steps in preventing the crisis from escalating. As a people, we shall ever remain indebted to these security agencies whose interventions have significantly led to the de-escalation of tension in Mangu Local Government Area and the securing of lives and properties.
“We enjoin our people to allow the security agencies to do a holistic investigation in order to unravel the circumstances behind the alleged killing of Ardo. For fairness and justice, we urge the security agencies to dig further into the sporadic killings which are still on going in the area, especially the killing of three young men, Panshak Peter, Ishaku Zumuk and Yakubu Sokyes, in Panyam and Pushit axis in the wake of what took place recently.
“The Mwaghavul Development Association (MDA) hereby calls on our people to remain calm while the investigation lasts. We appeal to our mothers and youths to refrain from further blockage of major highways which is detrimental to free passage and socio-economic activities of the Local Government and the State.
“Once again, we want to express our heartfelt appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff and the Inspector General of Police over their prompt response to the Save Our Soul (SOS) request to them by the Governor of Plateau State, Barr Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang since the crisis erupted in April. As peace loving people, we shall continue to lend support to any effort aimed at ensuring lasting and sustainable peace not only in Mwaghavul land but in the entire State as a whole.”
