- Chief Imam of Jumma’at Mosque and an okada rider brutally killed in an ambush in Plateau State, adding to escalating violence
- Incident follows a recent attack on 23 villages, highlighting the urgent need for an effective strategy to end bloodshed
The Chief Imam of Jumma’at Mosque in Ndun village, Tangur District, Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, Malam Muhammad Sani Idris, and Muhammad Gambo, an okada rider, were brutally killed.
Confirming the incident on Wednesday, Garba Abdullahi, Chairman of Gan Allah Fulani Development Association (GAFDAN), revealed that Salisu Muhammad Sani Idris, the younger brother of the slain Imam, sustained injuries during the attack and was undergoing treatment at Dung Hospital in Bokkos town.
The incident, reported promptly to Bokkos security agencies, occurred when the victims, seeking to recover belongings from previous attacks, were ambushed by assailants. Tragically, the chief Imam lost his life, while his younger brother survived machete wounds.
The grim episode unfolded on Monday, adding to the escalating violence in Bokkos LGA. Muhammad Gambo, the second victim, met his demise on the same day around Bokkos Market while transporting a passenger. Both incidents have been reported to the Police and Operation Safe Haven in Bokkos for immediate action.
This unfortunate event follows closely on the heels of another tragedy where 23 villages in Bokkos LGA were attacked, resulting in the loss of more than 150 lives just a week ago.
Despite efforts to address the growing crisis, with a recent visit by Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, and the service chiefs, attacks and counterattacks persist, especially between herders and farming communities in the state.
Regrettably, responses from the spokesperson of OPSH, Captain Oya James, and the state police command’s DSP Alabo Alfred were unavailable at the time of filing this report. The ongoing violence underscores the urgency for a comprehensive and effective strategy to end the needless bloodshed in the state.