Gunmen kill five in Plateau community following a security meeting

Gunmen have killed five people in a brutal attack on Rafut village, in the Kwatas district of Bokkos Local Government Area, Plateau State.

The attack occurred on Monday night when the assailants ambushed four young men guarding their families’ homes in the village, killing them on the spot. The attackers then stormed a compound and killed an elderly man before fleeing, bringing the total fatalities to five.

The killings took place shortly after a security meeting with local stakeholders in the area.

The Chairman of the Bokkos Cultural Development Council, Farmasum Fuddang, confirmed the tragic incident on Tuesday in a statement co-signed with the association’s secretary, Duwam Bosco.

The statement, titled “Another Tragic Attack Claims Five Lives in Bokkos Despite Advance Warnings,” reads:

“With deep sadness, we report that our communities have once again fallen victim to violence, with five of our members confirmed dead following an attack on October 14th. This tragic incident comes on the heels of a week marked by bloody attacks, during which we laid to rest over ten members of our community: 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 27th. 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. Just a day prior, another young man was attacked while riding his motorcycle near Maikatako, further highlighting the escalating violence in our region. 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 occurred despite advance 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.”

The statement demanded an urgent establishment of a civilian task force to address future occurrences.

“This situation underscores our urgent calls for the establishment of a civilian joint task force. The absence of such a group has deterred community members from participating in neighbourhood watch initiatives, particularly given past instances where individuals defending their communities were arrested or shot by military personnel.

“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.

“We wish to clarify that our appeals for involvement in our security management is a mark of respect for constituted authorities and our desire for a harmonious relationship with the military. Nonetheless, we are acutely aware of our constitutional right to self-defence, which we will exercise vigorously to protect our people.

“This serves as a record for any intent to raid or arrest community members who are risking their lives to defend our communities. We assure our members of our commitment to providing legal and diplomatic support to anyone legitimately exercising their right to self-defence. We urge everyone to take personal responsibility for their security. Our deepest condolences go out to the families of the victims of the Rafut attack. We call upon the government to take responsibility for the medical treatment of the injured. We again call for the arrest of Sale Yusuf, Yusuf Adamu, Umar Ori, and Muhammad Gorte for their roles in previous threats in the area.”