The District Head of Manguna in Bokkos Local Government Area, Plateau State, Alo Raymond, has disclosed that the gunmen responsible for the recent attacks on communities in the district are individuals known to the locals, as they did not conceal their identities during the assaults.
Raymond made this revelation during a peace meeting organized by Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), in Bokkos. The meeting was convened to address the rising violence in the region and seek solutions for restoring peace.
On April 2, armed assailants launched a series of coordinated attacks across several communities in the area, including Hurti, Josho, Daffo, Manguna, and others. The brutal assaults led to the deaths of over 50 residents, the destruction of more than 300 homes, and the displacement of over 1,000 individuals. This tragic wave of violence has left communities in a state of devastation.
A few days prior, on March 27, another horrific attack targeted mourners at a wake, resulting in 10 fatalities. These attacks have further heightened the sense of insecurity in the region.
Addressing the peace meeting, Raymond pointed out that the attackers were neither strangers nor masked individuals. He stated that the perpetrators were easily identifiable as they did not take steps to conceal their faces during the attacks. “The attackers of our people are not faceless; they are people we know because they didn’t mask their faces while carrying out the criminal act,” Raymond said. “We have provided their names to the security agencies, and we trust that appropriate action will be taken.”
Raymond also raised concerns about the motivations behind the recurring violence, alleging that the attacks were part of a broader effort to seize land from the indigenous communities. He called for the deployment of additional security personnel to protect the vulnerable areas and ensure the safety of the residents.
“We will not be driven from our ancestral land,” Raymond declared firmly, reaffirming the community’s commitment to safeguarding their heritage and resisting the violent forces attempting to displace them.
As the situation continues to escalate, the government and security agencies are under pressure to act swiftly to restore peace and security in Plateau State, where fear and uncertainty have gripped the affected communities.
