From Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Plateau State Youth Council, Riyom Branch, has called for sincere and inclusive dialogue to address the root causes of persistent attacks in the area, insisting that justice must not be sacrificed in the search for peace.
Addressing journalists on Tuesday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Jos, the PYC Chairman in Riyom, Comrade Zang Kefas Davou, said only a dialogue process grounded in justice, truth, and mutual respect could lead to sustainable peace.
“We advocate for inclusive dialogue initiatives that involve all stakeholders and are aimed at tackling the root causes of these relentless attacks on our communities,” he said.
Davou decried what he described as the deafening silence of both the local and international community over what he termed the “systematic annihilation” of indigenous communities in Riyom Local Government Area.
“We appeal for firm attention, advocacy, and intervention. The world cannot remain silent while our people are being wiped out. The silence is deafening,” he said.
He called on global human rights organizations, foreign governments, and international media to investigate the situation, report it objectively, and pressure Nigerian authorities at all levels to fulfill their constitutional mandate of protecting citizens.
According to him, the people of Riyom, especially the youth, have shown remarkable resilience in the face of continued violence, but their endurance is now being stretched to the limit.
“We are tired of burying our loved ones—mothers, fathers, children, and young people—whose lives have been cut short by armed Fulani militias. We are tired of watching our heritage being destroyed and our people living in constant fear,” he said.
Davou reaffirmed the community’s belief in a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria, adding, “That peace must begin in our homes, in our communities, and in our local government areas.”
“We stand here today as a voice for the voiceless, a plea for justice, and a demand for peace. We will not be silent until our people can live without fear on their ancestral land and pursue their livelihoods in dignity,” he said.
Giving a breakdown of the recent attacks, the PYC Chairman disclosed that within a short period, no fewer than 58 innocent people were brutally killed in cold blood, including women, men, children, and youths.
He added that at least 31 others sustained various degrees of injuries and are currently battling for their lives.
“In addition to the human casualties, about 82 houses and properties worth millions of naira were deliberately burnt and destroyed,” he added.
The youth leader called for urgent intervention to halt the attacks and prevent further destruction of lives and properties in Riyom LGA.
