N1.2bn worth of properties destroyed in Plateau community – Committee

By Golok Nanmwa, Jos

Committee on Assessment And Rehabilitation Inaugurated by the Transition Committee Chairman of Mikang Local Government Council of Plateau state , Hon. Daniel Kungmi to assess the communal crisis that engulfed Funyallang/ Ponglong Communities of the Council has submitted that Properties worth over N1.2 billion were destroyed.

Recall that over a month ago, crisis broke out over the ownership of farmland at Ponglong, Lalin District of Mikang, and the nearby Funyallang community in Langtang North.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State had then expressed outrage over the communal clashes and called on security agencies to respond decisively and hold the perpetrators and their sponsors accountable to the full extent of the law, he also urged swift mobilisation to the affected areas to prevent any further escalation of the crisis.

Presenting the report at the Mikang Local Government Council Secretariat yesterday, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Isa Kongwai, appreciated the Council Boss for the confidence reposed in the eleven man Committee, noting that though the assignment was hectic ,the committee members worked assiduously to come up with an excellent report.

He added that the12 communities were severely affected by the crisis but only eleven communities responded to the Committee.

Hon Kongwai also said that 18 persons lost their lives, while 30 Persons sustained injuries of various degrees in the communal crisis.

The Committee also added that a total of one thousand, nine hundred and forty five houses of both corrugated sheets and thatched houses were destroyed, while cash crops and food stuffs valued at two hundred and ninety seven million, one hundred and forty five thousand naira, were either destroyed or carted away.

According to the Committee “In total 473 households were affected and 2,700 cattle were rustled.”

They also added that about 2,706 persons are currently displaced following the unfortunate crisis that engulfed the locality.

The Committee recommended that the council should assist displaced persons by way of resettling them especially now that the rainy season is already in place.

Receiving the report, the Transition Chairman, Mikang LGA, Hon. Daniel Kungmi thanked the Committee for a job well done and promised to implement recommendations and suggestions meticulously.