•Bullet ridden vehicle
At least, 14 passengers, including women and children, have been killed in yet another attack in Plateau State.
The incident comes a month after wedding travellers from Kaduna were ambushed and killed by a mob in Plateau, reports Daily Trust.
The latest victims were reportedly killed along Chirang road in Mangor District of Bokkos local government area of Plateau.
Our correspondent gathered that the incident occurred yesterday evening when the passengers were returning from weekly market in Bokkos.
Bokkos has a weekly market which takes place every Thursday.
The victims were ambushed by armed men who opened fire.
Confirming the incident, the Bokkos Cultural Development Forum (BCDF), in a statement by its chairman, Farmasum Fuddang, said they were shocked and saddened by the attack despite several peace and reconciliation efforts between farming and herding communities.
“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,” the chairman said.
Fuddang accused members of an ethnic group of launching the attack, saying the fact is clear.
The latest attack, along with ongoing village burnings and takeovers in the Mushere area, has been blamed on terrorists identifying as members of an ethnic group.
“Their goal is to take control of the entire local government area, which is recognised as the potato headquarters of Nigeria.”
We are not responsible of the attack – Fulani herdsmen
The herding community in Bokkos has distanced itself from the attack.
Saleh Adamu, chairman of Gan Allah Fulani Development Association (GAFDAN), who denied the allegation, 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.
“When an incident occurs, security forces do investigate before identifying the perpetrators. 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.“
Security yet to react
At the time of filing this report, neither the police nor Operation Safe Haven has issued a statement regarding the development.
Our correspondent contacted the spokespersons of Operation Safe Haven, Major Samson Zhakom, and that of the State Police Command, DSP Alabo Alfred, who had not responded as of the time this report was filed .
