The Biha Project team reach out to us, to assist them in locating Noroh Dung of Latiya, Plateau State Nigeria.
Where Is Pregnant Noroh Dung of Latiya?
Fellow Nigerians;
We, a group of journalists and civil society on Thursday October 4th, 2018 responded to information by a close relative to a pregnant female resident of Latiya-Dura Dwei, location of the current search and rescue operation being carried out by the Nigerian Army.
We were turned back by the military at Dwei. No one was granted access to Latiya. It appeared the entire community is on lock down with no sign of life.
The nearest check point which is the BUKEN Academy check point maintained by the STF & the Gbong Gwom Jos, looked abandoned.
We gathered from observers at the WAYE junction that uniformed men mounting guard at the BUKEN Academy checkpoint had been withdrawn by the STF since the last attack and massacre of Latiya residents some weeks ago. Unverified reports say the community accused the men of complacency in the massacre of men, women and children of the community just about 500 meters from the checkpoint with speculation that one or some of the security men were identified to be among the shooters.
The main purpose of the visit today was to ascertain the whereabouts and perhaps the health condition of the heavily pregnant Noroh Dung who’s EDD (Expected Date of Delivery) was last week (last week of September 2018) and was said to have been arrested by the military in Latiya DU between the night of Tuesday 2nd and the morning of Wednesday 3rd October 2018.
With the aggression we were greeted with when we tried to explain our mission, by uniformed men at Dwei who insisted we turned back for our own safety (caution we appreciate), after inspecting our vehicles, we returned without answers as to the condition of women and children in the cordoned community.
Of particular concern is the young lady who is expected to be delivered of a child any moment from now. Knowing she is being treated humanely and perhaps is receiving her entitled medical attention would have given us and her relatives some respite.
For now, concerned family and friends of Noroh Dung who live outside the community are begging for answers. Some wonder if this young bride and mother-to-be has been indicted in any crime. Unconfirmed reports say she was arrested while hiding away in her small apartment because she was too heavy and too afraid to run away from the area while a seige was laid on the community.
Civil society concerns are that she doesn’t become another casualty in Nigeria’s growing maternal mortality rate, being the highest not only in sub Saharan Africa but in the world.
If a pregnant woman, about to give birth is truly detained then there is room to assume that her civil liberties are being violated. This also contravenes the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on the treatment of women in conflict situations which clearly stipulates PROTECTION of women as one of the 5 pillars. Protection from any form of mistreatment.
The convoy of civil society and media meant no harm and certainly did not intend to interfere with any security investigation or operation. They’re just looking out for the vulnerable in a grieving community still trying to make sense of an unprovoked attack and massacre of its residents just a few weeks ago by heavily armed gunmen, according to eye witness accounts that pleaded anonymity.
If indeed the missing army General has fallen victim of some form of foul play anywhere in this country, our hearts sincerely go out to his loved ones. But we do not believe any more lives should be lost in the process of getting closure Nigerians in this series of unfortunate events.
Citizen Journalists for Peace In Jos & Nigeria
#thebihaproject