The Berom Community Association, Abuja (BECA) has rejected the description of the Berom people as a “militia” by the director-general of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Professor Ayo Omotayo.
It described the allegation as false, inflammatory, and damaging to the ethnic group’s image.
In a statement signed by its president, Timothy Choji, the association expressed “dismay and unequivocal disapproval” over remarks allegedly made by Omotayo during a live interview on Arise Television on Thursday, July 2, regarding the recent security incident at the NIPSS campus in Kuru, Plateau State.
According to BECA, the NIPSS boss referred to the Berom community as a “militia” and claimed members of the group had been around the institute seeking compensation over land issues.
The association insisted that the Berom people had never constituted a militia group and had always maintained a reputation for peaceful coexistence and hospitality.
“The labelling of the Berom people, or any section thereof, as a ‘militia’ is entirely false, baseless, and a gross misrepresentation of the historical, cultural, and social identity of the Berom ethnic nationality,” the statement said.
It added that the Berom nation had never provoked the NIPSS management and remained committed to its role as a peaceful host community to the institution.
BECA further argued that Omotayo’s comments were premature, noting that investigations into the security incident were still ongoing.
The association warned that such public remarks could prejudice ongoing investigations, inflame communal tensions and undermine the fragile peace in Plateau State.
The group also accused the NIPSS DG of using selective language in describing those involved in the incident, alleging that while a Berom suspect was described as belonging to a militia, other individuals were referred to only as Fulani herdsmen.
According to the association, the omission of the fact that another assailant identified as Fulani had earlier been found dead within the institute’s premises raised concerns about bias and an attempt to portray the Berom people negatively.
BECA called on the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Plateau State government and the Nigeria Police Force (NPG) to investigate the DG’s public comments and determine whether they breached professional ethics, public trust or national security protocols.
The association also demanded that Omotayo publicly retract his remarks and tender an unreserved apology to the Berom nation within seven working days through two national newspapers and on the same television platform where the comments were allegedly made.
It appealed to the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da. Jacob Gyang Buba, publicly addressed the matter and warned that the continued silence of the traditional institution could be interpreted as acceptance of the characterisation.
