Tuesday, October 15, 2024 - Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen have killed five persons in Rafut village, Kwatas district in Bokkos Local Local Government Area of Plateau state.
It was gathered that the
gunmen ambushed four young men who were guarding their family’s homes in the
village and killed them on the spot on Monday night, October 14, 2024.
The attackers thereafter stormed the
compound and k!lled an elderly man before they fled the area,
It was learnt that the killings
occurred shortly after a security meeting with stakeholders in the locality.
The Chairman of Bokkos Cultural
Development Council, Farmasum Fuddang, confirmed the k!llings on Tuesday in a
statement he jointly signed with the association’s secretary, Duwam Bosco.
“With deep sadness, we wish to report
that our communities have once again fallen victim to violence, with five of
our members confirmed dead following an attack yesterday October 14," the
statement read.
"This tragic incident comes on
the heels of a week marked by bloody attacks, during which we buried over ten
members of our community: five in Wumat on October 7, four in Kuba on October
10, one in Maikatako on October 11, and another on October 12
“Additionally, we have 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.
"Despite credible
warnings by a reputable media outlet 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.
"This unprovoked assault occurred even
after a security meeting with police and military authorities in Bokkos on
October 13. Four young men, who were out guarding their family’s home, were
tragically ambushed as they stood watch.
“The attackers thereafter
stormed the compound, k!lling 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 onto 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 7, 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.”
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