At least five people were reportedly killed in a recent assault on several rural communities within the Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State by gunmen.
The sad development was confirmed in a statement released on Tuesday (today) by the Chairman of the Bokkos Cultural Development Council, Farmasum Fuddang, along with the Secretary, Duwam Bosco.
OsunDailyNG understands that the tragic incident occurred on Monday, October 14.
Fuddang and Bosco expressed concern over previous assaults that have resulted in numerous fatalities.
In the statement, it was noted that four young men who were guarding their family home were ambushed while on duty.
The assailants subsequently invaded the premises, resulting in the death of an elderly man and raising the total number of casualties to five.
“Despite credible warnings by a reputable media outlet on October 12th, 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 14th, this unprovoked assault occurred even after a security meeting with police and military authorities in Bokkos on October 13th.
“Four young men, who were out guarding their family’s home, were tragically ambushed as they stood watch; the attackers thereafter stormed the compound, killing an elderly man, bringing the total fatalities to five,” the statement read.
OsunDailyNG reports that the latest assault occurred on the heels of a week marked by bloody attacks, during which over ten members of the community were brutally murdered.
“Five in Wumat on October 7th, four in Kuba on October 10th, one in Maikatako on October 11th, and another on October 12th.
“Additionally, we have endured numerous assaults in the previous month, including six fatalities in Daffo on September 3rd, two in Tarangol on the same day, five in Mbar on September 16th and two in Kop Mandarken on September 20th 2024,” the statement added.
The group commended security agencies for repelling the assailants and called for more efforts and collaboration with the locals to secure the community.
“We commend 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.
“However, it is with deep regret that we observe the attack on Rafut, which occurred despite warnings clearly identifying these areas as at risk.”
“More worrisome is the fact that it occurred mere hours after residents of Rafut reached out to police authorities reporting suspicious activity by Fulani groups in the area. Similar intelligence was shared shortly after the Wumat attack on October 7th, including names of identified suspects, who still roam free,” they said.
