Plateau community laments govt alleged failure to relocate IDPs

Simon Lalong, Governor of Plateau State

Shonong community in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau state has lamented what it described as government failure to return the internally displaced persons to their ancestral homes as promised by the government more than one year after they were attacked and chased away by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

The President of Shonong Development Association SDA, Mr. Davou Jambol who spoke at the funeral of the Gwom Shonong, Da Timothy Kavei Dalyop, the traditional ruler of the community also expressed concern over "government's inability to create an environment conducive for the natives to return and rebuild their ruined ancestral homes to continue their livelihood".

He recalled how the community had been attacked more than four times since 2012 with the people rebuilding their homes afterward until the worst attack in June last year when the herdsmen launched a devasting attack in the community and neighbouring council areas killing over 200 natives and over 3000 others displaced and their houses destroyed

Jambol pointed out that it was after the deadly attacks on the people last year that the both Federal and State Governments made some promises to rebuild and return them to their ancestral homes

He expressed regrets that since then, nothing had been done or heard from the government, despite frantic efforts by the community leaders especially the late traditional ruler for the government to provide security for the people to return.

Jambol said, "We are not even begging the government to rebuild our houses since they have failed in their promise. What we are asking of is for them to ensure our security and we would come back and build our destroyed homes"

"We are also appealing that steps be taken ito broker a peace agreement between the neighboring communities. That the road from Tahoss which terminates in Shonong be completed, as it will further increase the sense of security and a project that will have a positive multiplier effect on the communities along its way".