PRESS STATEMENT BY THE CHAKFEM DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION (CDA) ON THE RENEWED ATTACKS IN CHAKFEM CHIEFDOM
The Chakfem Development Association (CDA) has expressed deep concern and grief over the persistent and renewed attacks on the people of Chakfem Chiefdom in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State. Speaking at a press briefing, the Association described the assaults, allegedly carried out by armed Fulani militias—as “heartless and unprovoked”, leaving behind a trail of blood, destruction, and displacement.
According to the CDA, innocent lives have been lost, homes burnt, farmlands destroyed, and families uprooted from their ancestral lands. The Association lamented that these attacks have created “a horrendous experience” for the community, with despair and fear now overshadowing the daily lives of both young and old.
The National Chairman of the CDA, Mr. Yoila Yohanna Yilyuhur, acknowledged the interventions of Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, particularly the ongoing road construction projects linking Mangun to Chakfem and the promised Chakfem-Kwa road in Qua’an Pan. However, he decried the slow pace of work on the Mangun–Chakfem road, describing it as “nearly abandoned.” He emphasized that the poor condition of the road has worsened the hardship of the people, especially in evacuating displaced persons, accessing farmlands, and deploying security personnel to crisis zones.
Mr. Yilyuhur also raised alarm over the illegal occupation of farmlands, noting that displaced communities have seen their ancestral lands converted into grazing fields by Fulani herders. He warned that this development not only undermines the economic survival of the people but also threatens their cultural and ancestral heritage.
Equally worrisome, he said, is the plight of displaced children whose education has been disrupted. “Unless urgent interventions are made, an entire generation of Chakfem children may grow up without education, without hope, and without the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to society,” he stated.
In its appeal, the CDA called on the Federal and State Governments, security agencies, humanitarian organizations, and well-meaning Nigerians to:
1. Sustain the protection of Chakfem communities and displaced persons.
2. Fast-track and complete the abandoned road project, while expanding road networks to remote areas for security and economic development.
3. Address the illegal occupation of ancestral lands and facilitate the safe return of displaced persons.
4. Provide educational support for displaced children to safeguard their future.
Despite the current challenges, the CDA reaffirmed the resilience of the Chakfem people, stressing their commitment to peace, justice, and the survival of their heritage. However, the Association cautioned that without urgent intervention, the community risks extinction.
“Chakfem Chiefdom cannot survive these incessant attacks alone. We need the urgent support of government and peace-loving Nigerians to ensure our survival,” Mr. Yilyuhur concluded.
