Plateau State Governor, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, says that some masterminds of the attacks that claimed about 60 lives in Bokkos have already been apprehended, and has vowed that the era of arrest without prosecution in the state is over.
He spoke as Mr Maren Aradong, the Village Head of Hurti, disclosed that 40 persons were killed and about 1000 displaced in last week’s attack on Hurti, Manguna District of Bokkos Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau.
Mr Maren Aradong, the Village Head of Hurti, said this when Mr Samuel Jatau, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), led other government officials on an assessment visit to the community on Sunday in Jos.
Recall that on April 2, gunmen attacked Hurti, Josho, Daffo, and other communities of the locality.
Gov. Caleb Mutfwang had described the recent attacks and killings in some parts of the state as a coordinated crime sponsored by conflict merchants, and not farmer-herder clashes.
Throwing more light on the incident, Aradong said that the gunmen also looted foodstuff and other items.
“Last Wednesday, at about 3:00 p.m., gunmen invaded our communities in their numbers; they came on motorcycles and attacked us.
“In Hurti alone, these gunmen killed more than 40 people and displaced about 1,000 persons.
“They also burnt 383 houses, destroyed foodstuff, and looted other items,” he said.
Aradong, who commended the state government and the security personnel for their swift intervention, called for the deployment of more security personnel to the affected communities.
Also commenting on the incident after the attack, Retired Brig.-Gen. Gagji Shipi, the Coordinator of Operation Rainbow, a state-owned security outfit, confirmed the attack.
Shipi, who described the incident as a major setback on the peace efforts in the state, said that measures were already being taken to forestall future occurrences.
Speaking during the visit, Jatau, who commiserated with the families who lost their loved ones during the attack, called on the Federal Government to also provide support for the displaced persons.
The SSG explained that the government delegation was in the community to commiserate with the people and encourage them to be steadfast.
“We are here to see to things for ourselves and ascertain the level of damage done by the attackers.
“It is unfortunate that this era people could attack, kill innocent citizens, and destroy their properties without thinking twice.
“We have seen things for ourselves, and we will report back to the governor; we want to assure the people that they are not alone.
“We are here with some relief materials to cushion the immediate hardship that the people are currently passing through, pending a more lasting solution,” he said.
NAN also reports that some of the items donated to the displaced persons were mattresses, sleeping mats, buckets, bags of rice, beans, and maize.
Other items donated included blankets, cartons of washing and bathing soaps, noodles, and pasta, among others.
The state governor on his part has reassured the people of the area of the commitment of his administration to justice and security of the entire state following the recent attacks in the council area of the state.
The Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor, Gyang Bere, on Sunday disclosed that the governor made the declaration while addressing Plateau State indigenes residing in Abuja at the weekend where he shared his pain on the recent happenings in Bokkos LGA as he explored best security approaches in ending the menace.
“We will no longer allow those arrested for crimes in our communities to walk free. I will pursue, and ensure the prosecution of all those hands stained with the blood of our people. They will face the full wrath of the law.
“I want to assure you that the lives lost in Bokkos will not be in vain. Some advised that we cancel this meeting due to the tragic circumstances, but after wide consultations with our leaders both at home and in the diaspora, we decided to forge ahead.
“We cannot let those behind these heinous acts think they have broken our spirit. Yes, we are mourning, but by the grace of God, we are not defeated.
“Since the December 2023 attacks, we have begun reclaiming our identity as the Home of Peace and Tourism. For over a year, we recorded no major incident, but these attacks are clearly orchestrated, deliberate attempts to impoverish and intimidate our people at the start of every farming season.
“Let it be known; we will farm this year. No amount of intimidation will stop us. I appreciate the outpouring of sympathy and support from Nigerians across the country.
“I’ve had deep consultations with security chiefs and I want to assure the people of Plateau State that everything possible will be done to protect lives and property.” the governor assured the affected communities and the entire state.
“As your Governor, I make this solemn promise; anyone involved in spilling the blood of a Plateau citizen will be pursued and brought to justice. None of them will go scot-free,” Mutfwang emphasised.
In another report, the Irigwe Development Association (IDA) an umbrella body of the Irigwe speaking nationalities in Plateau state has called for justice following the loss of 1,107 lives in the last 25 years.
The association further revealed that a total of 2,866 incidents of attacks were carried out on their communities with 1,107 deaths recorded, 412 injuries, two rapes, 20,836 rooms destroyed as well as 742 barns and 27,330 farms were recorded from 2001 to March 2025.
Between January 1 to March 28, 2025, the group added, a total of 58 incidents took place with eight deaths, eight injuries and more than 50 farm destroyed.
In a statement jointly signed by the President of IDA, Rev. Dr. Daniel Gya, the General Secretary, Amb. Danjuma Auta and the Public Relations Officer, Samuel Jugo David at the weekend in Jos, the state capital, the group said: “In the beginning, these attacks where in the form of ambushes, destructions of farm crops, rape of women and girls on their way to farms or in search of firewood in the wild. It metamorphosed into attacks with firearms. Beginning from January 2025, all the killings to date were largely by ambushes on unsuspecting passersby.”
The cultural group quoted a research conducted by Barrie, from 2001 to March 2025 which provided the grim statistics.
The statement reads in part: “The Rigwe nation is law-abiding and believes in the peaceful coexistence of all nations, tribes, creeds, and religions, and pleads with all stakeholders in the peace process to come together and ensure this carnage comes to an end.
“This is not the first time we are making this form of appeal and raising concerns over the continuous carnage on our land. We have continued to lose our loved ones in guerilla style attacks by assailants whom many have been afraid to name. While most of the victims are languishing in abject poverty, unable to fend for their families….
“This milestone achievement led to the formation of the 17-Man Peace Implementation Committee for Irigwe Chiefdom in May 2024 by the erstwhile GOC 3 Division/ Commander, Operation Safe Haven, Maj. Gen. AE Abubakar and with the responsibility of implementing the 17-point agreement hitherto signed.
“Despite these efforts by concerned stakeholders, sporadic and intermittent skirmishes have continued to be recorded. Beginning from the 1st January to the 28th March 2025, a total of 58 incidents, 8 deaths, 8 injuries, and more than 50 farm destructions were recorded, as compiled by Gastor Barrie….
“To think that these attacks and killings have continued despite a peace pact and ongoing efforts by the peace committee is most worrisome as it makes rubbish the wisdom of all the stakeholders that brokered these avenues.”
● Additional report by NAN.
