Tragic Manipulation Leads to Devastating Massacre
The Deception of a Nine-Year-Old Boy
Revd Dr. Gideon Para-Mallam, The President and CEO of the Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, uncovered a heartbreaking story revealing how manipulators coerced a nine-year-old boy into leading attackers to a village’s hideout in Chirang village, Plateau State. This manipulation culminated in a horrific Christmas Eve massacre, brutally claiming the lives of 23 women, including the boy and his mother. The chilling details expose a tragic tale of innocence manipulated for heinous acts.
According to a survivor’s account revealed by the Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, the perpetrators deceived the young boy, Regard Yusuf, leading him to believe falsely that he and his mother would be safe. However, this turned out to be a treacherous lie. Veronica Mallan and her nine-month-old child, Godwin Mallan, were among the victims. The attackers inflicted severe injuries on many others, including a three-year-old child shot at close range and a five-year-old girl whose hand the attackers brutally severed.
A Deliberate Act of Genocide
The Para-Mallam Peace Foundation strongly condemned the attacks, stating that they were not simply a conflict between farmers and herders, but a deliberate act of genocide. The loss of public figures, such as Hon. Sabo Abang, who was kidnapped and found dead near his home on the same night, was also highlighted.
Inadequate Response and Urgent Need for Action
Revd Dr. Para-Mallam criticized the Federal Government for its inadequate response to the crisis and called for proactive measures instead of reactive military responses. Even during a visit by a Presidential Team, the violence continued, with more villages coming under attack. The statement questioned the silence of the international community and the lack of strong collective action within Nigeria, urging for a united stance against terrorism in the Middle-belt region.
A Call for Peace and Security
Revd Dr. Para-Mallam appealed for a concerted effort to achieve sustainable peace and end the bloodshed in Plateau State. He emphasized that only decisive action, not politicization, can lead to true peace and security for the region’s inhabitants.
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