Plateau: Military vows to deal decisively with Bokkos bandits

The Military of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) has said that it will deal decisively with the attackers of residents of Bokkos local government area (LGA) in Plateau State.

The attack took place on Monday night when five people were massacred by the bandits who had been monitoring the movements and actions of the people.

This was disclosed to The Guardian on Tuesday by a Commander in the OPSH who does not want his name in print, saying that the military will ruthlessly deal with the perpetrators.

The Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC) Vanguard had, in a press statement on Tuesday morning, announced that some communities in the LGA “have once again fallen victim to violence, with five of our members confirmed dead following an attack yesterday, October 14.”

The statement, which was signed by Barr. Farmasum Fuddang, Chairman, and Amb. Duwam Bosco, Secretary of BCDC Vanguard, said the tragic incident comes on the heels of a week marked by bloody attacks, during which over ten members of the community were buried.

BCDC recalled that five people were killed in Wumat on October 7, four in Kuba on October 10, one in Maikatako on October 11, and another on October 12.

The community said they had endured numerous assaults in the previous month, 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.

According to the community, despite credible warnings by reputable media outlets on October 12, terrorists, identified by witnesses as members of the Fulani tribe, launched a brutal attack on the village of Rafut in the Kwatas district shortly after 7 PM on October 14.

The unprovoked assault, according to them, occurred after a security meeting with police and military authorities in Bokkos on October 13.

The Bokkos Community Development Council called for the establishment of a civilian joint task force.

“A joint task force would facilitate better intelligence sharing, eliminate misunderstandings, and significantly reduce response times during future invasions. While we recognize the military’s vital role in safeguarding lives and property, we understand the manpower and logistical challenges faced by troops. Therefore, we reiterate our request for assistance, as local residents possess invaluable knowledge of the terrain and can better support military efforts.

“Our demands stem from a profound commitment to our land and the ongoing threat we face. We cannot stand idly by and watch as terrorists from hundreds of miles away slaughter and displace us to take over our communities. This long-term agenda has been systematically and more vigorously executed in recent months, resulting in the deaths of over 400 of our members since the Christmas attacks on 26 of our communities,” the statement added.

They commended the swift action taken by the military, which resulted in the rescue of Yelwa Sunday Mashat, who is currently recovering from severe injuries sustained during the attack.

“We also acknowledge the apprehension of several suspects and large cattle herds they drove into the road to block the victim,” it added.

BCDC extended their deepest condolences to the families of the victims and called on the government to take responsibility for the medical treatment of the injured.