The Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC) Vanguard has urged communities to defend themselves against attackers due to the resurgence of deadly terror attacks in Plateau State.
The council made the call on Thursday 3rd April 2025 in a Press statement following the Wednesday night attack on some Bokkos Communities in Plateau State where they reported that Fulani terrorists have been targeting ethnic Nationalities in the state.
The BCDC Vanguard expressed profound dismay and feelings of betrayal while condemned the attacks, describing it as part of a longstanding pattern of violence against their communities, which has persisted for many years.
BCDC VANGUARDBokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC) VanguardBokkos L.G.A. Plateau State, NigeriaOFFICIAL PRESS RELEASEHEED AUTHORITIES’ ADVICES AND DEFEND YOURSELVES; BCDC VANGUARD URGES BOKKOS RESIDENTSApril 3rd, 2025Bokkos, Plateau State :
The peaceful and hospitable people of our local government area are under threat from terrorists who seek to seize our land and impose a caliphate. This agenda must be stopped, and their senseless bloodletting must be confronted by all possible means.In just one week, we have lost over 20 community members due to these marauding terrorists, who are engaged in an ongoing ethnic and religious cleansing of five villages. On April 2 alone, they killed over 10 people.
Survivors reported that the attackers, speaking the Fulani dialect, launched a brazen assault in broad daylight around noon in Mangor Tamiso, then moved to Daffo, Manguna (Tagai), and invaded Hurti and Tadai.
All thanks to the Nigerian military and police for their swift response to distress calls, which helped minimize casualties. However, given the logistical and manpower challenges faced by these institutions, we urge all Bokkos indigenes to heed Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s advice to protect themselves.
If residents were prepared to defend their communities, these terrorists would not be able to carry out attacks with such impunity.Even the authorities – those saddled with the protection of lives and property recognize this right.
Among them is the Director-General of the Nigerian State Security Services, Adeola Ajayi. Recently at the maiden annual lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies in Abuja, the Head of the Department of State Services boldly called on Nigerians to take their destinies into their own hands and position themselves as the first line of defense. “We can stop these criminals,” said Ajayi.
“You can imagine, you call sector, let’s say sector four or whatever, sector of the army, to come to this community if there’s an attack. Before they even arrive there, if they attack another community, what happens?” He questioned.
“We have to allow some level of armament for the community and they can serve as the first line of defense,” he said.
During his visit to Ruwi in Bokkos on March 29, following an attack that claimed 12 lives on March 27, Governor Mutfwang also emphasized the need for courage in confronting these threats: “We must be courageous to confront these evil people.
They can never defeat us.” He urged the youth to take a stand: “Young people, this is your time. You are the ones to defend this land and protect the elderly and children.”Governor Mutfwang recognized that the attacks in Plateau State aim at land grabbing and ethnic displacement.
He reminded citizens that their presence on this land is divinely ordained: “It is God who placed us here. Those who think they can intimidate us into leaving will be put to shame.”
He stressed the importance of vigilance: “We don’t pray for trouble, but we must always be prepared.””The times we’re in are hard. We must look out for one another and avoid going to farms alone.
We need to organize joint efforts, ensuring some are watching while others farm or attend ceremonies,” he stated.
The people of Bokkos must not allow themselves to be slaughtered or rely solely on government security forces, who cannot be everywhere or protect everyone.
At the very least, citizens should arm themselves with non-prohibited weapons to delay attackers until help arrives. Anything less could be fatal.
While urging the Inspector General of Police, the National Security Advisor and other relevant authorities to reconsider the previous decision of the former administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to suspend the issuance of gun licenses, we enjoin citizens to join registered volunteer guard associationd like the Hunters and Forest Security Guard Services, VGN and Neighborhood Watch to avoid harassments by security forces when defending against terrorist invasions.
We extend our deepest sympathies to the victims of the recent invasions in Ruwi, Mangor, Daffo, Manguna, Hurti, and Tadai. We call on emergency agencies such as NEMA, SEMA, and the Nigerian Red Cross to swiftly provide relief to the displaced and injured.
Additionally, we urge the international community—including the United States, United Nations, and African Union—to pressure Nigerian authorities to take decisive actions to end the violence and protect Christians and other religious minorities from radical Islamists seeking to impose a caliphate in Nigeria.
This is particularly important as the farming season approaches, requiring increased protection for the majority farming villagers by deploying more troops including the recently introduced agro rangers of the Nigerian Civil Defense Corps.
SignedBarr. Farmasum FuddangChairmanBokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC) Vanguard Amb. Duwam Bosco SecretaryBCDC Vanguard. OTHER BCDC VANGUARD MEMBERS:1. Machief Ayuba2. Barr. Charles Amagong 3. Barr. John Apollos Maton 4. Barr. Nantok Dashuwar 5. Barr. Cornelius Makopson 6. Barr. Austin Kamshak7. Barr. Daniel Malgit Agandu 8. Masara Kim
