The Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC) Vanguard had commended the special military task force, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), for their prompt response to the armed attack in Bokkos local government area on November 26, 2024.
According to the Vanguard, the attack which occurred at 7:30 pm, was carried out by dozens of Fulani-speaking terrorists who stormed the village of Maikatako, killing one resident.
However, the soldiers swiftly confronted the attackers, neutralizing one of the terrorists and inflicting mass damage on the invading force.
In a press release on Wednesday jointly signed by Barr. Farmasum Fuddang and Amb. Duwam Bosco, the Chairman and Secretary of the BCDC, the group said:
“We appreciate the troops’ intervention, which has helped to settle the controversy surrounding the identity of those persecuting our people.
“For years, the media and politicians have promoted a false narrative of farmer-herder conflicts and ‘unknown gunmen.’
“However, the latest attack has confirmed that the attackers are known Fulani settlers who have been living in the area and have been perpetrating these heinous crimes.
“The timing of the attack, which occurred at 7:30 pm, suggests a carefully coordinated mission to launch an attack when most residents have returned from their daily activities and the neighborhood watch has not yet commenced.
“This rubbishes the claim that the attacks are farmer-herder clashes. Innocent civilians who are killed in their homes and sleep by militants must be given justice and not labeled as parties to a conflict.
“We commend the military for intervening and helping to settle this controversy once and for all.
“The latest intervention is one of many in recent weeks, and we urge for more collaborations, including the establishment of a civilian joint task force to enable our communities to participate in building a safer and prosperous Nigeria.
“Recent attacks in the area have resulted in the loss of over 500 lives since December last year, with more than 50 killed in various villages between April and October this year.
“Additionally, over 5,000 acres of grown crop farms have been destroyed. However, the new approach of Operation Safe Haven suggests that our cries have been heard, and we hope for continued cooperation to build a safer and more prosperous Nigeria.
“It has come to glare that whenever there a peace meeting with the Fulanis, there would always be an attack about same night by the same Fulanis.
“This shows the degree of arrogance, disdain and heartlessness these killers attach to collective agreements on security where energy and manhour is spent.”
