…Bokkos attack began around 9:00 p.m. with sporadic gunfire as villagers prepared for bed.
BOKKOS, NIGERIA — The iNews Times reports that a group operating under the banner of the Bokkos Cultural Development Forum Vanguard (BCDFV) has accused security agencies, including the Nigerian military, of alleged complicity in the recent Bokkos attack that claimed more than 20 lives in Mbwelle village, Kwatas district of Plateau State.
The deadly Bokkos attack, which occurred on April 9, reportedly left entire families devastated, including eight members of a single household and a pregnant woman whose unborn child also perished in the violence.
In a strongly worded joint statement issued on Sunday and signed by its Chairman, Farmasum Fuddang, and Secretary, Ambassador Duwam Bosco, the BCDFV condemned what it described as a coordinated assault carried out by suspected Fulani terrorists. The group alleged that the attackers emerged from a settlement said to be under military protection.
According to the statement made available to The iNews Times, the attack lasted for approximately two hours without any intervention from military personnel stationed less than three kilometres from Mbwelle village. The forum described the absence of a timely security response as troubling and indicative of possible complicity.
The BCDFV further alleged that during its post-attack investigations, it discovered that a gun truck marked “Operation Enduring Peace E5,” belonging to Sector 5 of the Operation Enduring Peace Task Force, was positioned in front of the same Fulani settlement to which the attackers allegedly retreated after carrying out the invasion.
“This reinforces our communities’ fears that elements of the Nigerian military are actively shielding terrorists from justice,” the group stated.
Residents reportedly said the Bokkos attack began around 9:00 p.m. with sporadic gunfire as villagers prepared for bed. Multiple distress calls were allegedly placed to security operatives, but help did not arrive until nearly two hours later.
“The peace was shattered as gunshots escalated and engulfed the village, forcing residents to flee,” the statement read. “Unbeknownst to many, the attackers had positioned snipers along exit routes and shot at anyone attempting to escape.”
The forum alleged that those who remained indoors were not spared. Among the victims was a pregnant woman who was killed alongside her unborn child. Survivors reported that assailants shot victims and attacked others with machetes while chanting religious slogans.
Witnesses claimed the attackers came from a nearby settlement known as Korong, which the group described as one of several villages allegedly forcibly occupied in the area.
The BCDFV also expressed concern that upon eventual arrival, soldiers did not secure Mbwelle village but instead positioned their gun truck near the Fulani settlement identified by residents as the attackers’ base.
“This delayed response follows a pattern,” the group alleged, noting that in previous incidents, security personnel reportedly arrived only after attackers had fled.
The Bokkos attack, according to the forum, occurred weeks after warnings were allegedly issued by advocacy organisations, including TruthNigeria, about impending violence in the area.
The BCDFV claimed that over 500 of its members have lost their lives in similar attacks within the past year, including traditional and religious leaders. It argued that such incidents are often dismissed as clashes between farmers and herders, rather than targeted violence.
“For centuries, our land has been home to the Ron, Kulere, and Mushere ethnic groups who coexisted peacefully despite differences in occupation,” the statement continued. “The ongoing attacks primarily target Christians and other religious minorities regardless of their trade.”
The group alleged that the violence is aimed at land seizure and ethnic or religious displacement. However, these claims have not yet been independently verified by security authorities at the time of filing this report.
The BCDFV demanded an immediate and transparent investigation into the Bokkos attack, including the prosecution of both perpetrators and any collaborators found within the military or other security agencies.
“We will defend our lives and heritage within the limits of the law,” the group declared. “Any attempt to silence our voices or deny our constitutional rights will be resisted through lawful means, including the power of our votes.”
As of press time, official military authorities had not publicly responded to the allegations surrounding the Bokkos attack.
The iNews Times will continue to monitor developments and provide verified updates as investigations unfold.
