Former Kaduna State Governor, Patrick Yakowa

Peter Okpiafo (reporting from Lagos)

The Middle Belt Forum alleged on Sunday in Kaduna that the death of Governor Patrick Yakowa in helicopter crash was part of a plot by the core North to eliminate the Middle Belt leaders.
Yakowa; his aide, Dauda Tsoho; the ex-National Security Adviser, Gen. Andrew Azazi, and three others died in a helicopter crash penultimate Saturday while returning from the burial of the father of Presidential aide on Research, Documentation and Strategy, Oronto Douglas, in Bayelsa State penultimate Saturday.
National President of the forum, Mr. Pius Attah, in company with the Director of Research, Mr. Augustus Bayaro, at a news conference on Sunday in Kaduna, noted that the recent threat to the life of Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswam, as well as the series of crises in Plateau State were part of the conspiracy against Middle Belt leaders.
Attah said, “We consider Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State could not escape the plot but died and all the circumstances surrounding the helicopter crash at Nembe in Bayesa State were suspicious. This would leave unhealed wounds in the hearts of Middle Belt and concerned Nigerians.
“What has been secretly held and kept as a long plotted strategy of core North expansion and hegemony for the subduing, subjugation and castration of the Middle Belt region come to the fore glaringly.
“We consider the helicopter crash at Kabong village in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State that lead to the death of Deputy Inspector General of Police, John Haruna, from Taraba State as a conspiracy against him and the Middle Belt people. The Federal Government set an investigation team to that effect but up till now, the report has not been made known to the public.”
The forum added, “Again we consider the Governor of Taraba State was not left out in the plot. Governor Suntai of Taraba is still in a hospital in Germany.
“Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State is under threat by the core North terrorists sponsored by their evil perpetrators both at home and internationally in order to achieve their selfish motives.”
The group said those behind the alleged plan were also after Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang’s life.
Attah said, “Governor Jonah Jang is also on their list through constant attacks. Many a time he was targeted to be unseated from his position or killed, but their target fail because he walks with God.
“We therefore, view seriously the motive behind these acts as an attempt to keep the Middle Belt region perpetually backward economically, politically and other wise by constantly projecting crisis situation.
“There is a clear indication and manifestation of terrorists coup d’etat to make Plateau ungovernable because of Fulani attacks on a daily bases at Barkin Ladi and Riyom local government areas of Plateau State, including the sponsorship of what is known as unknown soldiers even when some have been identified by indigenes in the two local government areas.
 “As the game plan unfolds, it has become clear to the unsuspecting that the dislocation and castration of Middle Belt strongholds through a strategy of destabilising and eliminating their leaders is now the vogue. They have been hunting the lives of Middle Belt leaders.”