By Raymond Gukas,Jos
It was an emotion-laden moment in Irigwe chiefdom of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State this weekend when it received the executive committee of the “Plateau Our Heritage” (POH), a socio -cultural group on a condolence visit.
The traditional ruler of the chiefdom, Rev. Ronku Aka, the Bbra Nggwa of Rigwe expressed delight and told the visitors that “for remembering us at this trying moment. You have given us a sense of belonging and hope.”
The POH Chairman, Hon. Alex Kwapnoe in company of the convener, Hon Pam Ayuba Dangwong led the board on a sympathy visit to the chiefdom to commiserate with the people over the recent loss of over 50 lives to suspected Fulani herders since the beginning of the year.
The elated royal father appreciated POH for the solidarity visit and was emphatic when he declared that “we used to think we are alone in this precarious times, but your visit and the outpouring of sympathies has brought back life to us and we remain appreciative of your concern towards us.
“It gladdens my heart when I see Plateau rising with committed groups springing up. We must defend one another; knowing fully well where we are coming from”, he stressed.
Earlier, the POH Chairman, Hon. Kwapnoe while expressing sadness over the happenings in Irigweland, assured the paramount ruler that the group stands for justice and it will do all that was humanly possible to ensure that.
According to him, “it pained us that one innocent live is lost for just no cause. We must stand together in unity especially now that the Irigwes have proven strength in the face of this challenging moment.”
While assuring that the POH will continue to stand with the people, he urged all men and women of goodwill to stand with Plateau and be counted as “an injury to one is an injury to all.”
The convener, Hon. Dangwong recalled how nine persons including children, women and the elderly were given a mass burial recently by the Irigwe and called for closer collaboration between communities with a view to defending themselves when the need arises.
According to him, “we didn’t come here for merriment. Our brothers, our wives and husbands, our children and neighbours’ lives have been cut short by enemies of peace. As a group, the POH has come to share in your pains because we’re all in this together” while urging the people to draw their strength from the Almighty who will provide the needed succour.
Also, Barrister Solomon Dalyop of Emancipation Centre for Crisis Victims in Nigeria, (ECCVN), lamented that it appeared, those behind these acts will stop at nothing until the entire ethnic nationality of Irigwe is entirely wiped out, going by the “aggressors’ modus operandi” and also pledged the continuous support of the centre.
On the visit were also Hon. Linda Barau, a former Commissioner in the last administration, Garos Samuel of the ECCVN, and Loisinta Pwol Vou, treasurer among others.
Highlights of the visit was the donation of cash and relief items to the victims of attacks by the POH and the ECCVN through the royal father surrounded by other chiefs under his domain.
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