At least 14 persons, including women and children, were reportedly killed on Thursday evening in a fresh attack in Plateau State.
Naijaonpoint understands that the latest attack has raised concerns over rising insecurity in the area.
The victims were said to have been returning from the weekly market in Bokkos town when their vehicle was ambushed by gunmen along Chirang Road in Mangor District of Bokkos Local Government Area.
The attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents that have rocked Plateau State in recent months.
It comes barely a month after travellers returning from a wedding ceremony in Kaduna were similarly ambushed and killed in the state.
Reacting to the incident, the Bokkos Cultural Development Forum (BCDF), in a statement issued by its chairman, Farmasum Fuddang, expressed dismay over the killings, describing them as a “sad reminder” of the volatile security situation despite repeated reconciliation efforts.
“The victims were returning from the weekly market in Bokkos town when their vehicle was ambushed. Victims included women and little babies. This violence occurs despite various so-called peace and reconciliation efforts,” Fuddang said.
He alleged that members of a particular ethnic group were responsible for the killings, accusing them of masterminding coordinated attacks aimed at forcefully taking over farmlands and communities.
“Their goal is to take control of the entire local government area, which is recognized as the potato headquarters of Nigeria,” he stated.
Fulani group distances self from attack
Meanwhile, the Gan Allah Fulani Development Association (GAFDAN) has distanced the Fulani community from the attack, urging caution and thorough investigation before apportioning blame.
Speaking on behalf of the group, its chairman in Bokkos, Saleh Adamu, said: “The allegation has no basis because there is no evidence that the attack was carried out by the Fulani. And no herder was arrested at the scene to prove it was carried out by Fulani.”
“This allegation is the first of its kind here,” Daily Trust quoted Adamu as saying.
Adamu condemned the killings and called for justice, adding, “We condemn the attack in its totality, as the killing of innocent people is not in any way justified by any offense. We condemn the killings.”
Authorities yet to react
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had yet to officially comment on the incident.
However, no security agency has issued any official statement regarding the latest attack as of the time of filing this report.
Naijaonpoint reports that the silence of the security authorities has further heightened fears among residents, many of whom are calling for swift intervention to prevent further bloodshed in the troubled Bokkos axis.