On June 19, 2025, armed assailants launched coordinated attacks across Bokkos Local Government Area in Plateau State, killing at least 17 people and injuring several others. The Bokkos Cultural Development Forum (BCDF) Vanguard, in a statement signed by Chairman Farmasum Fuddang and Secretary Duwam Bosco, condemned the violence as brutal and senseless, aimed at destabilizing peaceful communities.
The attackers, reportedly speaking the Fulani dialect, struck Jwan village in Tangur district, killing 10 residents and injuring over six. Earlier that day, one person died in Mangor, and six others were killed in Chakfem, a nearby community in Mangu Local Government Area with ties to Bokkos. The group described these acts as targeting defenseless civilians, often at night, and labeled them as having genocidal intent.
The BCDF Vanguard expressed frustration over the failure of Nigeria’s security and intelligence agencies to prevent these recurring attacks. They criticized national leaders for downplaying the severity of the violence, pointing to misleading narratives about similar incidents in neighboring Benue State.
The forum also highlighted the lack of support for local volunteer watch groups, who face harassment from security agencies despite their bravery and commitment. Recent intelligence reports, ignored by authorities, noted suspicious activities, including unidentified helicopters hovering over Mushere and large cattle herds escorted by motorcycles, signaling potential attacks.
The group urged the government to integrate local volunteer guards into the formal security system, noting the success of similar approaches in Nigeria’s Northeast and Northwest. Such integration, they argued, would improve collaboration between communities and security forces, enhance intelligence gathering, and rebuild public trust. The BCDF also raised concerns about unmarked helicopters repeatedly landing in forested areas near Nasarawa State, suspected to be terrorist bases. They demanded an immediate investigation into these aircraft, calling for the prosecution of anyone found aiding the attackers.
The forum concluded by appealing for justice, protection, and the restoration of peace in Plateau State, emphasizing that communities cannot continue living in fear while perpetrators remain unpunished. They called for urgent and decisive action to halt the bloodshed and ensure the safety of residents across the region.
