A civil society group in Plateau State, has vowed that indigenes of the state will not succumb to terrorists and bandits following a fresh wave of violence in different parts of the state leading to the death of over 15 people last weekend.
The group, under the aegis of Plateau Vanguard for Democracy, PVD, reacting to the violence that broke out last Thursday and lasted till Sunday in Jol and Dorowa-Babuje communities of Riyom and Barkin Ladi local government areas of the state, said the attacks were aimed at destabilizing and fracturing the fragile unity of the state.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesman, Chris Ishaku, the PVD described the attacks as a calculated attempts to deepen fear and division among Plateau’s diverse communities, but insisted that residents of the state would not be broken.
“The people of Plateau will not be broken. No amount of bloodshed, intimidation, or calculated violence will destroy our collective resolve to live together in peace. Those behind these attacks seek to fracture our unity, but they will fail,’’ Ishaku said in the statement.
Continuing, the PVD spokesman stressed that Plateau State had endured too much pain over the years to allow itself to be pushed into fresh cycles of hatred and reprisals.
“We have endured too much pain to allow ourselves to be pushed into division. Plateau people are stronger than the forces of hatred. We will not surrender our land to fear,” he stated.
While calling for calm and restraint from residents, Ishaku emphasized that this was not the time for the people to retreat into ethnic or religious camps but a time to stand shoulder to shoulder as one big Plateau family.
“The blood being shed does not ask whether one is Christian or Muslim, Berom, Fulani, Anaguta, or Irigwe. The strength of Plateau has always been in its diversity. We must not allow agents of division to weaponise our differences. Unity is our greatest weapon against those who profit from instability.
“Violence will not define us. We refuse to allow criminals and enemies of peace to dictate the future of our state,” he emphasised.
