ECWA decries alleged army’s aloofness during Miango crisis

• Traditionalists Should Rise Up To Defend Communities— Lawmaker
• Killings Would Have Been Prevented If Security Operatives Were Given Free Hand— Monarch

The recent attacks that saw many Irigwe people dead and houses burnt in Miango Village of Bassa Council of Plateau State by alleged Fulani militia without any intervention from the army is said to be fast eroding the people’s confidence in the military and other security agencies. Furthermore, they said the army could not be seen as unbiased protector.
  
This was the position of President of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Rev. Stephen Baba Panya, while addressing the press, yesterday, at its headquarters in Jos.
  
Panya said the sad and inexplicable aspect was that many of the villages, where the killings and burnings occurred, are located behind the 3 Armoured Division Barracks of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies.

“We are also calling on well-meaning Nigerians to be their brothers’ keepers and open up their homes for the displaced persons, provide support for food, water, clothing and medical services for victims…”

Meanwhile, a member representing Pankshin North Constituency in the Plateau State House of Assembly, Honourable Philip Dasun, has said enough of Fulani attacks on Plateau communities, urging traditionalists to defend their communities.
  
Dasun said he was told the Fulani always operate with metaphysical power, urging traditional practitioners to do likewise because “we, too, have something like that, which ordinary eyes cannot see.” He spoke, yesterday, at the Plateau Radio Television Corporation (PRTVC) programme on the carnage in Miango.
   
The lawmaker wondered for how long the people would continue to be patient, while the Fulani keep coming. He implored the international community to come to their aid, since the government could not protect them.

Similarly, the paramount ruler of Irigwe ethnic nationality in the state, His Royal Highness, The Bra Ngwe Irigwe, Rt. Rev. Ronku Aka, while lamenting the tragedy, disclosed that some security operatives, who were deployed to the communities during the attacks, told him they had no instruction to repel the invaders.