13th April, 2024
Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has reacted to the gunmen invasion of the Mangu and Mandar Shar communities within the Bokkos Local Government Area, on Friday night.
At least 10 persons were feared killed when the gunmen struck in the communities.
Mufwang in a statement by his spokesman, Gyang Berede, said government was determined for miscreants who attack communities to face justice while maintaining that his administration was committed to the restoration of peace and security to the affected places.
Mutfwang appealed to security agencies to improve on their efforts to protect innocent communities. s to carry out the attacks.
The Chairman, Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC) Vanguard, Farmasum Fuddang had in a statement on Saturday described how the communities were invaded.
He said: “Last night, April 12, our community in the Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau state faced a horrific attack resulting in the senseless slaughter of at least ten of our members.
“Despite the presence of security forces, including the DSS, army, and Police, the perpetrators were allowed to carry out their heinous acts with impunity.
“Under the cover of darkness, more than fifty armed terrorists descended upon the villages of Mandung-Mushu and Kopnanle, targeting innocent, unarmed, and peaceful residents as they slept.
“The assailants set fire to homes and a place of worship, mercilessly gunning down fleeing civilians while nearby soldiers failed to intervene effectively.
“This brazen attack, which predominantly targeted children, appears to be part of a calculated effort to instill fear and perpetrate further displacement within our communities.
“We condemn this act of terror, which we believe is aligned with a broader agenda to impose sharia law and seize control of our lands.
“Just hours before this tragedy unfolded, BCDC Vanguard submitted a petition to the Department of State Services (DSS), challenging a leaked memo that falsely accused our people of planning violence against Fulani residents.
“We unequivocally stated that the intelligence behind the memo was fabricated and defamatory.
“Despite our efforts to rectify these falsehoods, the security apparatus failed to protect our community from the very threats we highlighted.
“The DSS ignored these warnings and instead chose to implicate the victims.”