Community seeks justice as attack claims lives in Plateau

The Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC) has expressed deep sorrow and outrage over the recent surge of deadly attacks in the Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.

BCDC chairman Farmasum Fuddang in a statement condemned the killings and destruction carried out by what he described as “Fulani terrorists” targeting ethnic minorities in the region.

Fuddang lamented the ongoing violence, which he said had persisted despite peace agreements brokered by the Nigerian military.

He highlighted the severity of the situation, revealing that since May 2024, there have been at least 30 murders and the destruction of over 1,000 farms in Bokkos LGA.

“We feel betrayed by those responsible for our protection,” Fuddang stated.

He disclosed that nearly ten members of the Bokkos community were killed in the latest attacks, which occurred in the Daffo and Kwatas communities.

The attacks, he noted, were carried out simultaneously on September 3, following a week of isolated incidents that claimed 16 lives.

Describing the Daffo attack, Fuddang recounted that it began around 7 p.m. in a commercial area near a military base.

“The Fulani-speaking terrorists launched a brazen attack, leaving at least seven people dead,” he said.

He added that similar attacks occurred at the same time in Kwatas and Ambul-Barkish, resulting in at least four more deaths.

While the BCDC acknowledged the efforts of the Special Task Force Operations Safe Haven in Bokkos, led by the Sector Commander, in responding to the attacks, Fuddang questioned the inaction of soldiers stationed at the nearby base in Daffo.

“We call for an investigation into the lack of action and complacency of the soldiers that were manning the nearby base in Daffo,” he said.

The BCDC chairman further voiced the community’s deep mistrust towards the Fulani, emphasising that despite their peaceful coexistence, the Bokkos people have been consistently targeted since 2013.

“These attacks confirm our previous fears that the Fulani are not to be trusted,” Fuddang asserted. He cited over 500 deaths and the forced annexation of communities as evidence of the ongoing aggression.

Furthermore, Fuddang issued a call to the international community to intervene. “We demand answers and swift action from those responsible.

“We call on the international community to rise up and demand justice for our people,” he said.

The BCDC also demanded full compensation for victims of the violence and the dismantling of terrorist camps in the area.

The situation in Bokkos continues to raise concerns over security and the effectiveness of peacekeeping efforts in Plateau State. As the community mourns its dead, the BCDC’s call for justice echoes the growing frustration and fear among residents.