A group under the auspices of the Bokkos Cultural Development Forum Vanguard, BCDFV, has accused security agencies including the military of complicity in the April 9th attack in Mbwelle village, Kwatas district of the council, where over 20 people were killed including eight members of one family.
The BCDFV, an elite group comprising professionals of Bokkos extraction, issued a joint statement on Sunday, signed by its Chairman and Secretary, Farmasum Fuddang and Amb. Duwam Bosco respectively, condemned the attack and killing of innocent people, including a pregnant woman by suspected Fulani terrorists, who they said emerged from a forcibly occupied settlement currently under military protection.
According to the statement, the attack which reportedly lasted for about two hours without intervention from military personnel stationed less than 3 kilometers away, was an indication that the security personnel were complicit.
The Vanguard said from investigations it carried out following the attack, it was shocked to discover that a gun truck marked “Operation Enduring Peace E5” which belonged to Sector 5 of the Operation Enduring Peace Task Force was seen positioned in front of the same Fulani settlement where the attackers retreated to after they had carried out the invasion.
“This reinforces our communities’ fears that elements of the Nigerian military are actively shielding terrorists from justice,” the Vanguard said.
It also stated that information gathered from locals indicates that the attack began around 9:00 p.m. with sporadic gunfire as residents prepared for bed and calls made to the security operatives were futile as they bluntly refused to come to the aid of the people.
Continuing, the statement said: “The peace was shattered as gunshots escalated and engulfed the village, forcing residents to flee. Unbeknownst to many, the attackers had positioned snipers along exit paths and shot at anyone attempting to escape.
“Others who remained indoors were not spared, including a pregnant woman who was killed along with her unborn child. Assailants reportedly shot victims and attacked survivors with machetes while shouting “Allahu Akbar.”
“Witnesses report the attackers came from a nearby Fulani settlement known as Korong, one of several villages forcibly occupied by Fulani groups in the area who continue to pose a threat.
“During the chaos, residents alerted soldiers with Operation Enduring Peace, who did not arrive until two hours later. This delayed response follows a pattern. In several recent instances, soldiers from the same task force have only appeared after attackers completed their operations and fled.
“At the time of their arrival, the assailants were still firing as they withdrew to their base and were allowed to evacuate safely. Instead of stationing in Mbwelle to reassure traumatized villagers, soldiers positioned their gun truck near the same Fulani settlement, raising questions of complicity.
“We are deeply pained by this attack, which occurred weeks after reputable organizations and nonprofits like TruthNigeria published warnings of attacks in the area. We demand an immediate, transparent investigation and public prosecution of both perpetrators and any collaborators in the military.
“This attack is the latest in a series often targeting Christian religious festivals and farming periods, seemingly for land seizure and ethnic or religious displacement.
“In the past year, BCDF has lost over 500 members to such attacks, including traditional and religious leaders. These incidents are often denied and mischaracterized by genocide deniers, including government officials, as mere clashes between sedentary farmers and semi-nomadic cattle herders.
“For centuries, our land has been home to the Ron, Kulere, and Mushere groups, who have peacefully coexisted despite diverse occupations in farming and livestock production. The ongoing attacks, orchestrated by members of the Fulani tribe, primarily target Christians and other religious minorities regardless of their trade.
“This includes Hausa and Fulani members of different faiths. This indicates the intent is to eradicate Christians and other religious minorities to facilitate land takeover and the imposition of a caliphate governed by extremist ideologies.
“We will not tolerate this. We will defend our lives and God-given heritage within the limits of the law. We call on all our communities to resist any attempt to intimidate them from exercising their constitutional right to self-defense. The government should not deny us this right.
“Any attempt to silence our voices and deprive us of our rights will be resisted through every legal means, including the power of our votes in the next election.”
