No fewer than 10 have been reportedly killed by gunmen in attacks on five communities in Bokkos Local government Area of Plateau state.
The attackers were said to have invaded Mangor Tamiso, Daffo, Manguna, Hurti, and Tadai communities on Wednesday afternoon, destroying several houses.
In a statement on Thursday, chairman of Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC), Farmasum Fuddang, said the attackers want to take chase out residents of the communities and take over their land.
He stressed the need for members of the communities to bear arms to deter attackers.
According to him, “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.
“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.”
