As Community Demands Involvement In Security Watch
By: Our Correspondent.
The Bokkos Cultural Development Council, BCDC, in Plateau State has decried renewed attacks on their communities on Monday by suspected Fulani arsonists.
A press release signed by the chairman, Barrister Farmasum Kuddang, secretary, Ambassador Duwan Bosco and nine others on Tuesday, accused Fulani marauders as being responsible for the attack.
According to the press release, a copy of which was made available to newsmen, there have been renewed attacks on their communities, even when there were early warning signals to security agencies about the impending attacks.
“Another Tragic attack claims five Lives in Bokkos despite Advance Warnings”, they stated.
“We wish to report that our communities have once again fallen victim to violence, with five of our members confirmed dead following an attack yesterday October 14”, the release said.
“This tragic incident comes on the heels of a week marked by bloody attacks, during which we buried over ten members of our community: five in Wumat on October 7, four in Kuba on October 10, one in Maikatako on October 11, and another on October 12. Additionally, we have endured numerous assaults in the previous month, including six fatalities in Daffo on September 3, two in Tarangol on the same day, five in Mbar on September 16 and two in Kop Mandarken on September 27,” the socio-economic cultural group alleged.
“Despite credible warnings by a reputable media outlet on October 12,”, they noted, “terrorists, identified by witnesses as members of the Fulani tribe, launched a brutal attack on the village of Rafut in the Kwatas district shortly after 7 PM on October 14”.
While stressing the need for more vigilance, the group, slated that the assault was unprovoked even after a security meeting with police and military authorities was held in Bokkos on October 13.
“Four young men, who were out guarding their family’s home, were tragically ambushed as they stood watch”,the attackers thereafter stormed the compound, killing an elderly man, bringing the total fatalities to five”, the group avered.
“Just a day prior, another young man was attacked while riding his motorcycle near Maikatako, further highlighting the escalating violence in our region”.
“We commend the swift action taken by the military, which resulted in the rescue of Yelwa Sunday Mashat, who is currently recovering from severe injuries sustained during the attack. We also acknowledge the apprehension of several suspects and large cattle herds they drove into the road to block the victim”, the release was quoted as stating.
“However”, it noted, “it is with deep regret that we observe the attack on Rafut occurred despite advance warnings clearly identifying these areas as at risk.
More worrisome is the fact that it occurred merely hours after residents of Rafut reached out to police authorities reporting suspicious activity by Fulani groups in the area”.
It lamented that similar intelligence was shared shortly after the Wumat attack on October 7, including names of identified suspects, who still roam free.
The situation, they argued, underscores their urgent calls for the establishment of a civilian joint task force, the absence of which has deterred community members from participating in neighborhood watch initiatives, particularly given past instances where individuals defending their communities were arrested or shot by military personnel”.
“A joint task force”, to them, “would facilitate better intelligence sharing, eliminate misunderstandings, and significantly reduce response times during future invasions. While we recognize the military’s vital role in safeguarding lives and property, we understand the manpower and logistical challenges faced by troops. Therefore, we reiterate our request for assistance, as local residents possess invaluable knowledge of the terrain and can better support military efforts.
Our demands stem from a profound commitment to our land and the ongoing threat we face. We can not stand idly by and watch as terrorists from hundreds of miles away slaughter and displace us to takeover our communities. This long-term agenda has been systematically and more vigorously executed in recent months, resulting in the deaths of over 400 of our members since the Christmas attacks on 26 of our communities.
We wish to clarify that our appeals for involvement in our security management are a mark of respect for constituted authorities and our desire for a harmonious relationship with the military.
Nonetheless, we are acutely aware of our constitutional right to self-defense, which we will exercise vigorously to protect our people.
This serves as a record for any intent to raid or arrest community members who are risking their lives to defend our communities. We assure our members of our commitment to providing legal and diplomatic support to anyone legitimately exercising their right to self-defense. We urge everyone to take personal responsibility for their security.
Our deepest condolences go out to the families of the victims of the Rafut attack. We call upon the government to take responsibility for the medical treatment of the injured”, they added.
The group went on to call for the arrest of one Sale Yusuf, Yusuf Adamu, Umar Ori, Muhammad Gorte for their alleged roles in previous threats in the area
Leave a Reply