Residents of the Mwar community of Chakfem Chiefdom in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State have appealed for urgent help, lamenting their inability to harvest their crops after suspected Fulani bandits invaded their community and destroyed their farmlands.
A youth leader in the community, Ayuba Yunana, stated that the bandits have taken over their farms and have dared residents to enter and harvest their crops.
Yunana explained that due to the constant and dangerous incursions, residents are now afraid to visit their farms for fear of being attacked or killed.
“We are in a very dire situation as a result of the incursion of Fulani bandits into our village,” he said.
He revealed that the community has been attacked multiple times, but this latest assault has been particularly devastating as the heavily armed bandits have not only taken control of their farms, where they now graze their cattle, but have also destroyed crops that were ready for harvest and challenged residents to confront them.
He warned that the impact on the community, which relies almost entirely on farming for sustenance, has been devastating, pushing many families into severe hunger.
“The consequences have been catastrophic for our people, who are mainly farmers. About 90 percent of the population depends on farm produce for their livelihood,” Yunana stated.
“Mwar has some of the most fertile lands in Mangu, and we are known for farming maize, guinea corn, Irish potatoes, cocoyams, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and onions. We also grow vegetables such as lettuce, cabbage and garden eggs.
“Some residents also rear livestock, including cows, pigs, goats and sheep. But whenever the Fulani attackers descend on us, they not only destroy our farms but also steal our food items and livestock,” he added.
Yunana further opined that the attackers’ strategy is clearly aimed at impoverishing the community and triggering famine.
“Our people are hungry and desperate because the bandits have taken over our lands. They boast that anyone who challenges them will face their wrath, which includes killings and further attacks.
“We are therefore calling on the government and security agencies to come to our aid because our people, especially our women and children, are suffering,” he appealed.