The latest attacks came just six days after a similar attack occurred in Ruwi community during a wake-keeping ceremony, where 10 people were also killed and three others sustained injuries.
Bandits have killed at least 10 people in a series of violent attacks carried out on Wednesday on five communities in the Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The latest attacks came just six days after a similar attack occurred in Ruwi community during a wake-keeping ceremony, where 10 people were also killed and three others sustained injuries.
A statement released by the Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC) and signed by its chairman, Farmasum Fuddang, condemned the persistent attacks.
Fuddang in the statement stated that the peaceful and hospitable people of the area are facing threats from terrorists attempting to seize their land and impose a caliphate.
“In just one week, we have lost over twenty community members due to these marauding terrorists, who are engaged in an ongoing ethnic and religious cleansing of five villages,” Fuddang stated.
“On April 2nd alone, they killed over ten people. Survivors reported that the attackers, speaking the Fulani dialect, launched a brazen assault in broad daylight around noon in Mangor Tamiso, then moved to Daffo, Manguna (tagai), and invaded Hurti and Tadai,” he added.
According to the BCDC, the assailants, who reportedly spoke the Fulani dialect, carried out coordinated attacks in broad daylight, beginning in Mangor Tamiso and subsequently striking Daffo, Manguna (Tagai), Hurti, and Tadai.
Despite the grim situation, the council acknowledged the swift response of security agencies, which they said helped in minimising casualties.
However, the group urged community members to remain vigilant and support security forces in efforts to protect their lives and property.
“The people of Bokkos must not allow themselves to be slaughtered or rely solely on government security forces, who cannot be everywhere or protect everyone.
“At the very least, citizens should arm themselves with non-prohibited weapons to delay attackers until help arrives. Anything less could be fatal,” Fuddang advised.
Residents and community leaders are calling on relevant authorities to strengthen security in the region as attacks in Bokkos Local Government Area continue to escalate.
Many fear that without urgent intervention, the violence could lead to further loss of lives and displacement of residents.
