Beroms Accuse Soldiers Of Looting, Raping Their Women

JOS, June 17, (THEWILL) - Members of the Joint Military Task Force, JTF, maintaining security in Plateau State have been accused by the Berom ethnic group of raping their women, looting their properties and arresting their people indiscriminately.

The Berom people stated this at a press conference in Jos and alleged that men of the joint task force rape young maidens and married women whom they ambush and assault as they wish.

Spokesperson of the group, Dung Choji Mawakson said in one occasion, the soldiers arrested and beat up a pregnant woman who lost her pregnancy in the process.

Mawakson said no less than 28 Beroms have been arrested indiscriminately by the men of the JTF including a nine month old baby since they arrived the villages saying most of them were arrested while going about their lawful duties.

He said while the Fulani have been attacking their villages, the JTF men have not been able to arrest any of them but turn round to arrest the Beroms who are usually the victims of such attacks. He described it as a case of the victim bearing the guilt of the attacker.

Said the Beroms: "The JTF broke into peoples’ houses, chase them away and cart away several valuable items including cash and electronics, they used some of the items stolen like television sets and generators for their socialization.

"They attacked and killed chickens and goats belonging to the local inhabitants and roasted some for their consumption as if celebrating booties from a war victory."

The Beroms called for the immediate trial of all soldiers sent to the villages to maintain peace and a guarantee that that they would act professionally in the discharge of their duties.