From Andrew Ajijah, Jos
Stakeholders of Shendam Local Government Area in Plateau State have donated relief materials to the Internally Displaced Persons ( IDPs) in Mangu LGA of the state.
The Voice reports that there has been an orgy of reprisal attacks in Mangu and surrounding communities between herdsmen and other farming communities since March who had left scores of people killed and several properties destroyed leading to the emergency of 2000 persons talking refuge in the IDPs camps.
Presenting the relief materials made up of food items to the IDPs on Tuesday in Mangu, the transition committee chairman of Shendam LGA, Dr. Nicholas Kemi-Nshe said it was to ameliorate the sufferings of those affected by the crisis.
Dr Kemi-Nshe, who is a health personnel emphasised that the relief materials, especially crates of eggs were specifically donated to the children to prevent malnutrition in the IDPs camp.
He condemned the unfortunate attack and killing of the people by herdsmen, noting that the Mwaghavul people of Mangu were peace loving.
Kemi-Nshe further said that the attacks had affected the entire Plateau State, because Mangu local government was a get-way to most parts of the southern and northern parts of the state.
Receiving the items, the Paramount ruler of the area, Mishkaham Mwaghavul Da John Hirse, appreciated the visit, saying that it was significant and thanked the entire local government for the show of concern and solidarity.
“History shows that we are one and same people, we spread because of expansion, we should continue to be one and live in peace,” he said.
The paramount ruler revealed that the genesis of the Mangu unrest was the Killings of a Mwaghavul person by the Fulani herdsmen.
The traditional ruler, however charged all to be vigilant and defend themselves to prevent the attackers from unleashing further mayhem on citizens anywhere in the state.
He sued for unity of purpose of all natives of Plateau State irrespective of tribe difference, political, social and religious beliefs.
He, therefore prayed for blessings of all those who have contributed for the provision of the relief materials to his subjects who are victims of the attacks.
On his part, the transition committee chairman of Mangu LGA, Markus Artu, said the people of Mangu have been prevailing on the people despite the provocations to be peaceful.
He appreciated the gesture by his Shendam counterpart and prayed God for more cordially relationship.
The Shendam LGA Chairman was accompanied at the visit by a former PDP Chairman Raymond Dabo, who commended the efforts of the transition committee chairman.
The Voice reports that those in the entourage was a former member of representatives for Shendam, Mikang/Qua’an-Pan federal constituency who is the current Chairman Assembly Commission John-Bull Shekarau, Hon Gregory Nyenlong, former Commissioner for information in the state and entire management staff of Shendam LGA.
The entourage had earlier paid a courtesy call on the Paramount ruler of Mwaghavul, Mishkaham Mwaghavul, Da John Putmang Hirse at his place in Mangu to pay condolences and seek royal blessings.
The Voice also reported that the items donated include 150 crates of eggs, 5 bags of cassava flakes, one bag of sugar, 700 tubers of yams, 20 bags of 25kg rice and 10 kegs of 25kg of palm oil.
