Bokkos Community Suffers Fresh Attack, Claims Five Lives Despite Prior Warnings
The Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC) has confirmed the killing of five persons in a fresh attack in Rafut community of Kwatas district in the council on Monday, October 14.
A statement by the BCDC on Tuesday, said the attack was carried out by suspected Fulani militia despite advance warnings.
The statement signed by BCDC Vanguard Chairman, Barr. Farmasum Fuddang, stated tust four young men who guarding their home were ambushed and slaughtered, while an elderly man was also killed when attackers stormed the compound, bringing the death toll to five.
“In another tragic incident of violence in Plateau State, five community members were killed in an attack on the village of Rafut in the Kwatas district on October 14. The attack occurred shortly after 7pm despite recent warnings of heightened threats in the area,” the statement said.
“This assault follows a series of deadly incidents that have shaken the Bokkos Local Government Area. In the past week alone, over 10 lives have been lost: five were killed in Wumat on October 7, four in Kuba on October 10, and two more in separate incidents on October 11 and 12.
“The area has been facing ongoing violence, with similar incidents in September, including six fatalities in Daffo and multiple attacks in Mbar and Kop Mandarken.
“Warnings were given by a media outlet on October 12 about possible attacks, yet violence continued. Witnesses identified the attackers as members of the Fulani ethnic group. Just a day before the attack on Rafut, community leaders met with police and military officials to discuss security measures, yet the attacks persisted.”
The BCDC, however, praised the military’s response, which led to the rescue of a severely injured victim, Yelwa Sunday Mashat, who is now recovering.
“Several suspects were apprehended, and large herds of cattle blocking the victim’s escape route were seized.”
The Vanguard, however, criticized the lack of preventive action as security agencies had been informed of suspicious activity near Rafut hours before the attack.
“The Council also renew its call for a civilian joint task force to bolster community protection and improve intelligence sharing,” the statement continued.
“In recent months, residents have hesitated to participate in neighborhood watch efforts due to past incidents where civilians defending their communities faced military actions, including arrests.
“Our call for a civilian joint task force is born out of necessity
Local residents have essential knowledge of the terrain and can support military efforts, but without a formalized task force, response times are slow, and community members feel unsupported.
“We cannot stand by as terrorists kill and displace our people to take over our communities. This violence has claimed over 400 lives in the area since the Christmas attacks on 26 communities.
‘The Council hereby calls on the government to support the medical treatment of the injured and to apprehend individuals previously linked to threats in the area. BCDC also extends condolences to the families of those killed in the Rafut attack and reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the community. We also urged the authorities to arrest four individuals previously implicated in violent activities in the region.”