Residents of Bokkos local government area in Plateau State are living in fear as armed men, suspected to be Fulani terrorists, attempted fresh attacks on several villages in the region.
According to a security alert issued by a source on ground, there was a report of a potential attack in the Bokkos area on Wednesday morning. Residents alleged that some fully armed Fulani terrorists were surrounding the environs and planning to unleash violence.
It was further revealed that the attempted attack by the Fulani militia, which occurred at Butura Kompani, a village in Bokkos local government, was met with fierce resistance by the local vigilante group and some security personnel. However, the attackers reportedly retreated.
Recall the 2023 Christmas Eve massacre, where at least 200 people were killed and over 500 wounded in a series of coordinated attacks on 20 rural communities in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi local governments.
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The attackers, who used guns and machetes, burned houses and other property. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but they are believed to have been committed by Fulani Terrorists.
The attacks have sparked outrage and condemnation from various quarters, especially from the residents of the affected areas, who accused the Federal Government of not doing enough to ensure their safety and security.
They also lamented the lack of adequate response from the state and local authorities, who they claimed were either complicit or indifferent to their plight.
The Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has condemned the attacks as “barbaric, brutal and unjustified” and vowed to take proactive measures to curb the ongoing violence. He also appealed to the Federal Government to deploy more troops and resources to the state to restore peace and order.
The Federal Government, on its part, has assured the citizens that it is working hard to address the security challenges in the country, especially in the North-West and Central regions, where banditry, kidnapping and communal clashes have become rampant.
However, many Nigerians are sceptical of the government’s promises and actions, as they have seen little or no improvement in the security situation in the country.
Some have called for a change of leadership and strategy, while others have resorted to self-defense and vigilante groups to protect themselves and their communities from the Fulani terrorists.
As the tension and uncertainty continue to mount in Plateau State and other parts of the country, many are wondering when and how the cycle of violence and bloodshed will end, and whether the government and the security agencies are capable and willing to protect the lives and property of the citizens.