Bokkos, Plateau State, Nigeria, October 15, 2024 – In yet another tragic incident, five lives were lost in an attack on the Rafut community in Kwatas district, Bokkos Local Government Area (LGA), Plateau State, despite prior warnings about the impending threat.
The Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC) Vanguard, in a press release, confirmed the attack, which took place on the evening of October 14, 2024. According to witnesses, the attackers, identified as members of the Fulani tribe, launched an assault shortly after 7 PM. The victims included four young men who were ambushed while guarding their family’s home and an elderly man killed in his compound.
This latest attack comes after a series of violent assaults in the area. In the past week alone, over ten individuals were killed in various attacks: five in Wumat on October 7, four in Kuba on October 10, and two more in Maikatako on October 11 and 12. These attacks are part of a disturbing escalation of violence that has claimed dozens of lives in the region over the past month.
Despite credible warnings published by a local media outlet on October 12, and a security meeting held with police and military authorities in Bokkos on October 13, the attack on Rafut went ahead. Hours before the assault, local residents had alerted the police to suspicious activity by Fulani groups in the area, but their warnings were not acted upon.
The BCDC Vanguard commended the military for their quick response in rescuing Yelwa Sunday Mashat, who survived the attack with severe injuries. Several suspects were also apprehended, along with large herds of cattle that had been used to block the victim’s escape route. However, the group expressed frustration that such incidents continue to occur despite advance warnings and the identification of suspected attackers.
The BCDC Vanguard reiterated its call for the establishment of a civilian joint task force to improve intelligence-sharing and facilitate quicker responses to threats. The group expressed concern that the lack of such a force has discouraged residents from participating in neighborhood watch initiatives, particularly due to past incidents where community members were arrested or shot by military personnel while defending their homes.
“While we respect the role of the military in safeguarding our lives and property, we must acknowledge their manpower and logistical challenges,” the statement said. “Local residents, with their intimate knowledge of the terrain, can play a crucial role in assisting military efforts to protect our communities.”
The BCDC Vanguard also reaffirmed the community’s right to self-defense, urging residents to take personal responsibility for their security while ensuring they remain within the law.
The council extended its condolences to the families of the victims and called on the government to cover the medical expenses of those injured. They also demanded the arrest of individuals linked to previous attacks in the area, including Sale Yusuf, Yusuf Adamu, Umar Ori, and Muhammad Gorte.
This attack is the latest in a string of violent incidents that have plagued Bokkos and surrounding areas, where tensions between local communities and Fulani herders have frequently resulted in deadly clashes. Since Christmas 2023, over 400 people have reportedly been killed in attacks across 26 communities in Bokkos LGA.
The BCDC Vanguard’s leadership, including Chairman Barr. Farmasum Fuddang and Secretary Amb. Duwam Bosco, expressed their determination to defend their communities and pursue justice for the victims of the ongoing violence.
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For further inquiries, please contact:
**Barr. Farmasum Fuddang**
Chairman, BCDC Vanguard
**Amb. Duwam Bosco**
Secretary, BCDC Vanguard
