‘10 killed’ as gunmen attack Plateau communities

Gunmen have reportedly killed at least 10 residents of five communities in Bokkos local government area of Plateau state.

The assailants were said to have invaded Mangor Tamiso, Daffo, Manguna, Hurti and Tadai communities on Wednesday afternoon.

Several houses were destroyed during the attacks.

Wednesday’s attack came seven days after gunmen attacked Ruwi community in Bokkos LGA as mourners gathered in the home of a deceased.

At least 12 mourners were killed during the Ruwi invasion.

Over 22 residents have now been reportedly killed in communities in Bokkos LGA within a one-week span.

In a statement on Thursday, Farmasum Fuddang, chairman of Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC), said the intention of the attackers is to “seize our land and impose a caliphate” on the communities.

Fuddang added that there is a need for members of the communities to bear arms to deter attackers.

“In just one week, we have lost over 20 community members due to these marauding terrorists, who are engaged in an ongoing ethnic and religious cleansing of five villages. On April 2 alone, they killed over 10 people,” the statement reads.

“Survivors reported that the attackers, speaking the Fulani dialect, launched a brazen assault in broad daylight around noon in Mangor Tamiso, then moved to Daffo, Manguna (Tagai), and invaded Hurti and Tadai.

“The people of Bokkos must not allow themselves to be slaughtered or rely solely on government security forces, who cannot be everywhere or protect everyone.

“At the very least, citizens should arm themselves with non-prohibited weapons to delay attackers until help arrives. Anything less could be fatal.

“We extend our deepest sympathies to the victims of the recent invasions in Ruwi, Mangor, Daffo, Manguna, Hurti, and Tadai.

“We call on emergency agencies such as NEMA, SEMA, and the Nigerian Red Cross to swiftly provide relief to the displaced and injured.”