Eight (8) persons have been reportedly killed in recent attacks occurring in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.
According to Kefas Mallai, Chairman of Community Peace Observers in Bokkos, the attacks started around 10pm on Sunday when Pastor Mimang Lekyil of COCIN LCC Kwakas-Mushere Bokkos LGA was attacked and killed in the pastorium.
He also explained that the wife of the pastor wa also shot in the leg and she is at Jos University Teaching Hospital for treatment.
The situation of unrest peaked with aggrieved youths of the community reportedly burnt Fulani shelters erected in the Kwakas area where the pastor was murdered. Security agencies later brought the tense situation under control afterward.
Kefas further stated that tragically, the same day, at around 9 pm, the herders’ militia mobilised themselves and attacked neighbouring Mbor community of Mushere and killed seven natives.
The chairman said, “At about 10:00 pm of Sunday, one Pastor Mimang Lekyil of Cocin LCC Kwakas-Mushere Bokkos LGA was attacked and killed in the pastorium and his wife who was shot in the leg was taken to JUTH for treatment. The corpse of the pastor has been deposited in the mortuary at Luna Hospital, Bokkos.
“In the afternoon of Monday, native youths who were angry with the unprovoked attack and killing of the pastor reportedly razed Fulani structures in the same Kwakas area where the incident took place, but security personnel intervened and brought the whole thing under control.
“They were making efforts to calm the angry youths in the community but at about 9 pm last night on Monday, seven natives were attacked and killed at the Mbor community of Mushere by suspected herders. Security agencies were alerted but before their arrival, the casualties were recorded.
“Due to the inadequate presence of security personnel in the area right now, some native women and children are leaving Kopmur, and surrounding settlements near Mbor to any seemingly safer places.”
He therefore ought for the assistance of the security agencies to restore law and order in the communities. “I have just called the DPO to let him know that the people in the affected community are calling me there is no presence of security men there and his number is not going through. I called the DCO who told me that they had already deployed security men to the area.
“This is the situation in these communities of Bokkos LGA right now as I speak with you.”
