On Friday, three individuals were killed in a new attack in restive Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau state.
The new tragedy, which has sparked worries of retaliation, occurred less than three days after more than 195 people were killed in a Christmas Eve attack in the state’s Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, and Mangu local government regions.
The three teenagers were on their way to check on relatives who had supposedly escaped to Bokkos town during an earlier attack of their hamlet when they were ambushed and slain by gunmen at Lut village.
They were allegedly slain on the spot.
Kefas Mallai, Chairman of Community Peace Observers in Bokkos LG, confirmed the attack to newsmen in Jos on Saturday.
“Three youths from Angwan Hausawa, Bokkos town, were killed yesterday (Friday) at Lut, one of the communities previously attacked by assailants on Christmas eve,” Mallai said.
He recognized them as Lurwan Ismail, a Muslim from Ron Kulere, Muhammadu Tuka (a Muslim from Ron), and Mayo (a Christian from Mwaghavul).
“They went there to retrieve their loved ones (Fulanis) who had fled to Bokkos town as IDPs after being killed.”
Their bodies, he claimed, had not been recovered by their relatives.
The current attack adds to the mounting fear in the three local government districts following the attack and harvest of dead.
The Wase emirate council cancelled the Fulani celebration and the Jos Joint Traditional Council’s New Year visit to the Gbong Gwom Jos due to fear of retaliation.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Alfred Alabo, and his counterpart in Operation Safe Haven OPSH, Capt Oya James, could not be reached for comment because their phones were turned off when our correspondent attempted to call them.
Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Rev. Dr. Yakubu, has condemned the heinous killings of innocent souls on Christmas Eve in Plateau State’s Bokkos local government area.
Rev Pam, who was at the Plateau state government house in Rayfield to commiserate with Governor Caleb Mutfwang over the butchery on December 24, 2023, said he was saddened and devastated to learn of the heinous incident.
The NCPC executive secretary, in a statement issued by his Media Officer, Pam Ayuba, said he was away in Rome for a State of the Readiness preparations for next year’s Christian pilgrimage when he learned of the event, condemning perpetrators of this horrific murder as evil.
He stated that the Plateau massacres must be stopped because the crisis has not diminished since 2001, when it arose, and successive governments have continued to observe its uninterrupted return. He bemoaned that the scenario would continue to haunt children born at the time, leaving them with the sense of a deep-seated hatred for one another if there is no solution to the bloodshed.
Pam applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his rapid response, which included dispatching a high-powered federal government delegation led by Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, who consoled bereaved relatives and the Plateau state administration following the atrocities.
He pleaded for peace and togetherness among the people, particularly the communities, to heed security warnings and not take their safety for granted.
He stated that this move demonstrates the president’s concern for the poor people and urged the communities to rise to the occasion and not allow the adversary to overcome them. In cases like this, he claims plateau has never been vanquished.
Rev Pam urged security agencies to be alert and not be taken off guard in order to arrest these offenders as requested by Mr President.
He informed Governor Mutfwang that he had been directed by Mr President to launch a peace dialogue that would result in the creation of a new roadmap for peace in the state, vowing to engage the people in a peace discourse.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang responded by thanking the NCPC Boos and stating that the government is going through a difficult time.
The Governor, speaking through the Secretary to the Government of the State, Arc Sam Jatau, stated that the terrorists carried out the attack in 20 localities at the same time.
The Governor recalled that the attacks had occurred more than ten times since 2001, but vowed to take a different approach. He stated that self-defense is not a crime under any law, reiterating his administration’s commitment to combating this social scourge.
He stated that Plateau is more united than ever because most cultural festivities planned by the state’s various ethnic groups for the New Year have been canceled in sympathy with the injured people, stating that an injury to one is an injury to all.
He called the incident abhorrent and hailed the VP for the government’s quick response. The following day, he reported the issue to President Tinubu in Lagos.
The Governor praised the ES and stated that the state was glad to have him there, adding that he hopes this is the end of the killings.
Rev Pam also petitioned the Traditional Ruler of Bokkos, Saf Lawrence Ishak, and his district leaders for peace and forgiveness. He addressed the victims in the Central Church Compound of the Bokkos Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), praying for their strength and emphasis on God.
(Daily Sun)