Herders have taken over our lands – Plateau prophet, Dangyang cries out

A Jos, Plateau State-based man of God, Prophet Jacob Dangyang, has stoked another round of controversy after he alleged that Fulani people have succeeded in taking over lands in his community of Fass District in Riyom Local Government Area of the state.

Prophet Dangyang, who is the General Overseer of the Global UpperRoom Revival Ministries, made the allegations in a post he shared on his social media handles on Wednesday, accusing the Fulani bandits of constantly invading communities in Fass and after killing and chasing the residents away, taking over the communities, hoisting their flags, and renaming the conquered areas.

In the post, the embittered man of God narrated how he grew up in the village and the people lived in peace with Fulani herders who came to the community to graze their cattle during the dry season and went back to their enclave in the rainy season without causing any trouble with the natives. 

He wondered when and how the once peaceful Fulani herders became so volatile and heartless killers.

“When I was a little boy, I grew up in my village called Fass. For many years, Fulani herders would come during the dry season and stay temporarily on our farmland. 

“Their cattle would help fertilize the land, and when the rainy season arrived, they would leave. After harvest, they would return. This arrangement continued peacefully for generations.

“But one day, everything changed. The visitors violently took over the village and became the owners of the land. My parents and many other indigenous families lost their farmlands. The people who once owned and cultivated the land became strangers in their own home.

“Today, Fass has become a Fulani-dominated community. Many of the original landowners no longer live there. As I speak, I do not have farmland in my own village. The place my parents called home is no longer ours,” he lamented.

Prophet Dangyang further lamented that anytime he raised his voice to speak against the atrocious acts of the bandits, he gets threats and condemnation from authorities who accuse him of trying to cause unrest in the state.

“Whenever I raise my voice about this issue, some people tell me not to speak, that I’m causing unrest. But how can I remain silent when my family and many others have lost so much?” He queried.

He, however, said he would never remain silent as long as the terrorists continued to wreak havoc in communities across the state.

“And to be honest, I have not even started talking about what is happening across Plateau. There is still a lot that needs to be said.

“Our stories matter. Our history matters. Our rights matter.

“They have been calling for my arrest because I asked the church to defend themselves.

“The land of Plateau will fight against the enemies of Plateau and Jesus Christ will give us victory.

“Yes, I said the church should buy weapons and defend themselves and some stupid people are calling for my arrest. Why can’t they arrest those coming to kill, kidnap people in churches?

“So church should not defend itself? So we’ve become fools to sit and be killed?” Prophet Dangyang asked.

Herders have taken over our lands – Plateau prophet, Dangyang cries out