Plateau: Five Years After Yelwa Zangam Attack, Bridge Remains Unrepaired.

The local bridge in Yelwa Zangam community, which was destroyed by suspected terrorists to prevent security operatives’ intervention during the deadly attack on the community, remains unrepaired five years after the incident, despite government promise to fix it.

Residents of Yelwa Zangam woke up on August 24, 2021, to discover that the wooden planks laid across the iron structure supporting the bridge have been removed and thrown into the river. The bolts holding the iron structure together were also loosened in an attempt to destroy the bridge and cut off access to the community.

While residents were still in shock over the damage to the bridge, the community was confronted with a deadly night attack that claimed the lives of 37 people, mostly women and children.

Seventeen of the 37 victims were reportedly burnt beyond recognition at the residence of the village head, who, according to him, escaped through what he described as the divine grace of God.

Following the attack, the then Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, visited the community on Sunday, August 29, 2021, to sympathise with the residents and families of the victims.

During the visit, Governor Lalong pledged a swift response to the community’s request for the repair of the damaged bridge, which had hindered security access to the area following distress calls during the attack.

The government also promised to construct a local police outpost in the community and to mobilise relief materials from both the federal and state governments for the affected households.

The government further assured the community that the perpetrators of the attack would be tracked down, arrested and prosecuted to ensure justice for the victims and their families.

However, a visit by our reporter to the community five years after the incident revealed that the bridge remains unrepaired, despite the government’s promise.

The reporter observed that the iron structures supporting the bridge were pulling apart and appeared to be at risk of collapsing, further raising concerns about the safety of residents and other road users.

A commercial motorcyclist in the community, said residents has no alternative but to continue using the bridge despite the risks involved.

“We have no option but to use the bridge the way it is, although it is risky,” he said.

The community leader, Bagudu Amos, appealed to the Plateau State Government under the current administration of Governor Caleb Mutfwang to come to their aid by repairing the bridge to ease the hardship faced by residents.

Amos also appealed for the construction of the proposed police outpost and the deployment of security personnel to the community, noting that the community had already provided land for the project.

He acknowledged the mobilisation of relief materials to affected households by the state government, non-governmental organisations and individuals, as well as the deployment of security agencies to the community for a period following the attack.

However, he said the repair of the damaged bridge and construction of a local police outpost, which were among the community’s major demands, is yet to be fulfilled.

According to him, repairing the bridge would boost the socio-economic activities of the community and benefit other citizens who use the road for business and other purposes.

Yelwa Zangam is an agrarian community known for producing a significant quantity of vegetables sold at the popular Farin Gada Market in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, according to one of the village heads, Mr. Ajida Isa.

The village head also said repairing the bridge could provide an alternative route for motorists travelling from Bauchi State to Kaduna State through Zaria Road.

He explained that the road could serve as a bypass, connecting Bauchi Road to the NEPA area along Zaria Road, all within Jos North Local Government Area.

Residents are therefore appealing to the Plateau State Government to revisit the long-standing promise to repair the bridge, which they say remains critical to their safety, movement and economic activities.