“Tragedy Strikes Again: Five More Lives Lost in Plateau Community”

On Monday, a fresh attack by gunmen in the Mbar community of Bokkos Local Government Area, Plateau State, resulted in the deaths of at least five people. The Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC) Vanguard, through a statement signed by Chairman Barr. Farmasum Fuddang and Secretary Amb. Duwam Bosco, reported that despite prior intelligence about suspected terrorists entering the area, the gunmen still managed to launch their assault.

The attack occurred between 7:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. when unarmed youths were traveling from Mbar town to Koh village along a bypass near Yelwa Nono village. The assailants, identified as bandit terrorists on motorcycles, targeted these individuals. It was noted that these terrorists had previously been repelled by the military from nearby mountains.

When security forces were eventually alerted and arrived at the scene, the attackers had already completed their mission and fled, evading capture. This incident adds to a troubling pattern of violence in the region, which recently saw the killing of 11 youths in Tarangol, Daffo, and Bargesh villages.

The BCDC Vanguard has expressed concerns that these attacks are part of a deliberate effort to drive local communities from their ancestral lands. They have called for greater involvement of local residents in security measures, suggesting that their knowledge of the terrain could be crucial in supporting security forces. This recommendation mirrors the collaboration seen with civilian joint task forces in other regions of Nigeria, such as the northeast and northwest.

While the group acknowledges the efforts of the military, they also highlight the logistical and manpower challenges faced by security forces, arguing that local community participation could provide valuable intelligence and help identify criminal elements more effectively. The BCDC Vanguard also advised communities to avoid traveling late and to stay vigilant, urging people to take measures to defend themselves in light of perceived inadequacies in government security responses.

As of the time of this report, the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Alfred Alabo, could not be reached for confirmation of the details.