Gyang Bere, Jos
A conglomeration of youths under the aegis of Plateau Youth G-17 Peace and Progressive Forum has challenged Federal Government to release the N10 billion intervention fund promised Plateau people for the relocation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their ancestral land.
Convener of the Group, Mr. Dachung Musa Bagos made the called on Friday during a press conference in Jos, and urged the Federal Government to charged to court 14 suspects who where arrested in connection to the killing of 350 persons in 14 villages of Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area of the state in June, 2018.
“It will interest the general public to know that since the pronouncement and promise of the Federal Government by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo five months ago to release N10 billion for the rehabilitation of farming communities and relocation of Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs).
“We have reliable information that women are being molested and sexually harassed in the camp before they could access daily meals for their children. Most of the children are now out of school with little or no hope of any form of education.”
He said most of the IDPs have no accommodation and are squatting in make shift rooms and uncompleted buildings with no social amenities.
“Appropriate machinery should be put in place to reconstruct the destroyed homes, schools, and other amenities within the communities, just like it is the case with similar communities in the North East.”
He urged government to arrest and prosecute criminal elements killing innocent citizens and their masterminds rather than blaming and criminalize the victims who protested out of anger after being attack.
“The Plateau State Government should erect/construct a befitting memorial arcade at mass burial sites in memory of the victims. Federal Government should as a matter of urgency, fulfill it’s promise of releasing N10 billion for the purpose of rehabilitation and relocation of the people.”