Gunmen kill five in Plateau community

Gunmen have struck again in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, resulting in the deaths of five individuals. Residents of Rafut village in the Kwatas district reported that the attack occurred on Monday night, starting with the ambush of four young men who were guarding their family homes, who were killed on the spot. The assailants then entered a compound and killed an elderly man before fleeing, bringing the total fatalities to five.

This violent incident unfolded shortly after a security meeting with local stakeholders. Farmasum Fuddang, Chairman of the Bokkos Cultural Development Council, confirmed the tragic events in a statement released on Tuesday, co-signed with the association’s secretary, Duwam Bosco.

The statement, titled “Another Tragic Attack Claims Five Lives in Bokkos Despite Advance Warnings,” expressed deep sorrow over the violence, noting that the community had already buried over ten members in the preceding week due to similar attacks. The losses included five lives in Wumat on October 7, four in Kuba on October 10, one in Maikatako on October 11, and another on October 12.

Additionally, the statement detailed previous assaults, including six fatalities in Daffo on September 3, two in Tarangol on the same day, five in Mbar on September 16, and two in Kop Mandarken on September 27. Despite credible warnings from a reliable media source on October 12, the attackers, reportedly identified as members of the Fulani tribe, launched their assault on Rafut shortly after 7 PM on October 14, just a day after a security meeting with police and military personnel.

The statement noted that the four young men were ambushed while guarding their homes. The attackers then killed an elderly resident, raising the death toll to five. It also mentioned a separate incident where a young man was attacked while riding his motorcycle near Maikatako, highlighting the rising violence in the region. The military’s quick response led to the rescue of Yelwa Sunday Mashat, who is recovering from serious injuries, and the arrest of several suspects.

However, the statement criticized the attack for occurring despite prior warnings and noted that residents had reported suspicious activities involving Fulani groups to the police shortly before the attack.

In response to the ongoing violence, the community leaders called for the urgent establishment of a civilian task force to better address security concerns. They stressed that the lack of such a group has discouraged community members from participating in neighborhood watch programs, especially following instances where defenders were arrested or harmed by military forces.

The leaders advocated for improved intelligence sharing through a joint task force, recognizing the military’s critical role in maintaining security while also acknowledging the logistical challenges faced by troops. They emphasized local residents’ knowledge of the area, which could enhance military efforts.

Their demands stem from a deep commitment to their community amid a growing threat of violence. They expressed concerns over the increasing frequency of attacks, which have resulted in the deaths of over 400 community members since the Christmas attacks on 26 communities.

The leaders made it clear that their requests for involvement in security management reflect respect for authorities and a desire for cooperation with the military, while also asserting their constitutional right to self-defense. They promised legal and diplomatic support to anyone acting within their right to protect their community and urged residents to take personal responsibility for their safety.

The statement concluded with condolences for the families of the victims and a call for the government to ensure medical treatment for the injured. They also called for the arrest of individuals implicated in previous threats in the area.

As of now, the Plateau State Police Command has not issued a statement regarding the incident. The spokesperson for the Command, Alabo Alfred, was unavailable for comment at the time of this report.