At least, 10 persons were killed on Wednesday in yet another attack on five communities in Bokkos local government area of Plateau state. This attack occurred just six days after similar attack in Ruwi community of the same Bokkos council where more than 10 persons were shot dead and three others got injured while observing a wake-keep ceremony.
Chairman of Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC) Vanguard, Farmasum Fuddang, who confirmed the incident yesterday to journalists, narrated how the attackers carried out the attacks.
According to Fuddang, “There were attacks yesterday and five villages were affected. It started From Mongor but the attackers were chased out by security forces. The attackers then moved to Daffo and attacked the community but security swiftly responded and chased them out. After Daffo, they went to Manguna, Hurti and Tadai villages and launched attacks.”
In a statement signed by BCDC ‘s chairman and issued to journalists in Jos, said, “In just one week, we have lost over 20 community members due to these marauding terrorists. On April 2 alone, they killed over 10 people.
“All thanks to the Nigerian military and police for their swift response to distress calls, which helped minimize casualties. 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.”
It was gathered that the latest attacks have forced residents of the affected communities and their neighbours to flee for their lives.
Meanwhile the Plateau State Government has condemned the attacks in Mangor Tamiso, Daffo, Manguna (Tagai), Hurti and Tadai communities of Bokkos Local Government Area of the State on the night of April 2nd, 2025.
Commissioner of Information and Communication, Hon Joyce Ramnap, who spoke to journalists in a telephone interview also pleaded for calm among citizens of the state .
“I extend the State Government’s deepest sympathies to the victims of the recent invasions in Ruwi, Mangor, Daffo, Manguna, Hurti, and Tadai.
“I am calling for calm and restraint. Towards this end, I urge our citizens to remain vigilant and peaceful.
“We commend the efforts of security operatives for their response and urge them to ensure that the perpetrators of this dastardly act are brought to book”, the commissioner stated.
But not satisfied with the statement earlier issued by BCDC Vanguard, its chairman told journalists that the communities of Bokkos should heed the authorities’ advice and defend themselves
According to Fuddang, the chairman of BCDC Vangaurd, “The peaceful and hospitable people of our local government area are under threat from terrorists who seek to seize our land and impose a caliphate. This agenda must be stopped, and their senseless bloodletting must be confronted by all possible means.
“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. 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.”
He continued, “All thanks to the Nigerian military and police for their swift response to distress calls, which helped minimize casualties. However, given the logistical and manpower challenges faced by these institutions, we urge all Bokkos indigenes to heed Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s advice to protect themselves. If residents were prepared to defend their communities, these terrorists would not be able to carry out attacks with such impunity.
“Even the authorities – those saddled with the protection of lives and property recognize this right. Among them is the Director-General of the Nigerian State Security Services, Adeola Ajayi. Recently at the maiden annual lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies in Abuja, the Head of the Department of State Services boldly called on Nigerians to take their destinies into their own hands and position themselves as the first line of defense.
“We can stop these criminals,” said Ajayi. “You can imagine, you call sector, let’s say sector four or whatever, sector of the army, to come to this community if there’s an attack. Before they even arrive there, if they attack another community, what happens?”
“We have to allow some level of armament for the community and they can serve as the first line of defence,” he said.
During his visit to Ruwi in Bokkos on March 29, following an attack that claimed 12 lives on March 27, Governor Mutfwang also emphasized the need for courage in confronting these threats.
“We must be courageous to confront these evil people. They can never defeat us,” he quoted the governor as saying, adding that the youth should take a stand.
“Young people, this is your time. You are the ones to defend this land and protect the elderly and children,” the governor was also quoted as saying.
“The times we’re in are hard. We must look out for one another and avoid going to farms alone. We need to organize joint efforts, ensuring some are watching while others farm or attend ceremonies.
“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.”
