The Mushere Youths Movement (MUYOM), a socio-cultural group, has reported that bandit attacks have displaced over 25,000 persons across several communities in Mushere District, Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Speaking at a news briefing in Jos on Friday, the organisation’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kutyil Gashion, said gunmen razed 55 houses, destroyed farmlands, and damaged other property valued at millions of naira.
According to him, scores of residents were also killed, with the death toll increasing after recent attacks on Margif, Mbor, Nina, Nawala, Fogoldep, and other communities in Mushere.
Gashion explained that the assaults occurred separately between May 25 and August 7.
“No fewer than 37 people lost their lives, many were injured, and property worth millions of naira was destroyed during the attacks.
“Livestock were carted away, and over 25,000 people are currently displaced and taking refuge in two major camps.
“We call for justice and adequate compensation for these victims and their families.
“The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction should extend its intervention to the families of the deceased, injured, displaced persons and other villagers that suffered grievous destruction of crops and farmlands,” he said.
He also frowned at the destruction of worship centres, schools, hospitals, and other public facilities in the affected communities.
He feared that the attacks could lead to chronic food shortages in the state and called on the Federal Government to deploy more security personnel to Mushere and the surrounding communities.
“Another dimension to these attacks on our people is the looming food insecurity.
“The attacks began just after our people cultivated their farms in anticipation of the harvest season.
“Due to the killings and mass displacement, these farmers have now been prevented from tending their crops.
“Meanwhile, cattle are left to graze freely, trampling and consuming the crops.
“It is clear that these attacks are not between farmers and herders.
“This situation signals an imminent hunger crisis not only in Mushere, but in the surrounding communities that depend on local food production.
“We call on the Federal Government to deploy additional security personnel to the affected communities and possibly establish security bases there,” he said.
