The spokesman of Tarok ethnic nationality in Plateau State, Sylvester Chirman, yesterday gave a chilling account of how the Army used tanks, grenades and guns to unleash terror on his community for 48 hours.
He stated human remains littered the streets and several houses were burnt in the “invasion”.
As stated by the Tarok spokesman, since the May 2 and 3 invasion of Kadarko town and surrounding villages of Mutum Biyu, Wadata Arewa, Wadata Kasuwa and Kurmi, comprising the Tarok community in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, 52 bodies of civilians had been recovered.
He stated the actual number of the casualties had not been ascertained.
Chirman spoke in Abuja when he lead a delegation from the Plateau State community to present a petition to the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Professor Bem Angwe.
His tale of destruction and ruins was corroborated by the Chairman of the Committee on Human Rights of the House of Representatives, Miss Beni Lar, who stated she left the community in tears because of the extent of devastation she saw during her visit.
Chirman said: “It began on May 2, 2015, when we were suddenly awakened by the heavy presence of soldiers in Kadarko town and other surrounding villages of Mutum Biyu, Wadata Arewa, Wadata Kasuwa and Kurmi, a Tarok settlement in neighbouring Ibi Local Government Area of Taraba State.
“The soldiers, who came from two different axes, were decked in paraphernalia of war and on a mission to kill. The first group came through Kurmi in Taraba State, while the second came in from Wase town. But their designated point of final convergence was Kadarko town, where massive onslaught and destruction lasted 48 hours.
“In each of the villages, where they treaded, the soldiers used very heavy war tanks and other sophisticated war instruments to attack and kill every innocent person on sight, especially harpless women, children and the aged, who were physically weak a nd feeble and could not therefore escape the onslaught.
“Among the victims in the category are: Manmyel Nimmyel, a blind old woman of over 70 years; Umaru Domtau, a septuagenarian, and ring Wakili, a two-year-old baby. They were killed and burnt beyond recognition.
“The most shocking and dehumanising dimension of the experience was that most of those who fell easy victims of the pogrom were those who had sought protection and had taken refuge at the police and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other security outposts from where they were systematically maimed and burnt with the police and NSCDC officers. They were on ground at the outposts to offer them protection.
“The bodies of 52 civilians have been recovered. Others are still missing. Over 2,000 houses, foodstuffs, sources of water and domestic animals were burnt down. The estimated value of the property destroyed by the military in the mayhem stands at over N10 billion.”
He urged the NHRC to investigate the petition and inform the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces; the Chief of Army Staff; the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Third Armoured Division, Jos and the Special Task Force (STF) Commander, Plateau State.
Chirman urged the commission to ensure that Captain Okon of FOB, Wase, who allegedly led the onslaught, is made to account for the killings and destruction of property.
The spokesman also prayed the NHRC to compel the Federal Government to compensate the injured, rebuild their houses and pay N10 billion restitution for the lives and property destroyed by the soldiers.
Miss Lar, who spoke after Chirman presented the petition, said: “Katarko is today a deserted town. All you now see are burnt houses, shops and vehicles. I saw droppings of blood all over the town. I left Katarko in tears. I was weeping. Who could have done this to these innocent Nigerians?
“When I passed through what used to be the police post, I saw blood everywhere. I saw bodies that were burnt to ashes. There are remains of policemen and NSCDC officials who were burnt to death by soldiers. It was unbelievable.
“Expectant mothers, their children, the aged and the crippled were burnt to death after they were shot at.
“As we learnt, the soldiers stated they did not want to leave any trace behind. The only borehole that supplies water was also destroyed. Grenade was thrown at the only telecommunication mast in the town.
“What could have prompted the Nigerian military to do this? Because we learnt the soldiers stated they were acting on instruction…”