Some suspected bandits who were suspected to be fleeing from an unknown location in the state had launched an attack on Congo and Zarap communities in the Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State after launching two separate attacks which claimed over eight lives two weeks ago. The attacker had attacked the Mbar community on Sunday night.
Confirming the incident, the residents of the community explained that the unfortunate victims of the attack were returning from Mbar town to Koh village along a bypass encircling Yelwa Nono village between 7. pm and 7.30 pm. The victims were reported to be all youths. They had reportedly been chased by the military from the mountain earlier and were riding on the bike to escape into the bush.
In a statement released on Monday by the Chairman of Bokkos Cultural Development Council Vanguard, Farmasun Fuddang, confirmed that the attack happened on Monday, killing several people in the community. The statement was also signed by the association’s Secretary, Duwam Bosco.
The statement condemned the killing of the community members, numbering five, who are vibrant young men, of the Mbar community on September 15 (Saturday). The statement disclosed that there was an intelligence report sent to the community disclosing that some suspected bandits would be fleeing to the area in the days.
The statement disclosed that the security agencies covering the jurisdiction were informed of the attack but arrived at the community after the bandits had completed their mission without any confrontation by any individual in the community.
According to them, the resident has been among the several others that have occurred in the community in the past; they highlighted the recent killing of 11 youths in Tarangol, Daffo, and Bargesh villages, which took place on September 3.
The association leaders further alleged that the incidents were planned attacks by the hoodlums with the aim of sending the residents away from the community to be taken over by others.
They called on the security agencies to accompany them in the numerous operations they are carrying out to become aware of the different activities of government, which is the practice in the civilian joint task force in the Northeast and North-West regions.
They further claim that they understand the logistical and manpower shortages faced by the military, which require the active participation of local community members who, by the way, know the terrain and can better assist with intelligence to identify and expose criminal elements in communities. According to them, the demand was not to undermine the military’s activities in the communities.
The statement further charged community members to stay away from night movements as the security agencies have earlier coautined. The association also sympathised with the families of the individuals who have been lost in the attacks. They further confirmed they would not allow themselves, while a small minority in Nigeria, to be eliminated from the face of the earth.
The spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, was not readily available when reached on the happening as his phone revealed that it was switched off.
