Fulani herdsmen are fleeing Bokkos Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau state as a result of retaliatory attacks on them. The retaliatory attacks are coming after an earlier attack by suspected Fulanis on the natives of the LGA. About 200 Fulani herdsmen mostly made up of women and children from Challa community fled the LGA for neighbouring Tafa village in Kaduna state to take refuge.

Challa and surrounding communities were attacked on Thursday night by the marauders leading to the death of scores of people and destruction of properties. The villagers mobilised and launched a retaliatory attack on the Fulani community killing about ten persons, numerous livestock and torching over a hundred houses.

Fulani herdsmen are fleeing Bokkos Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau state as a result of retaliatory attacks on them. The retaliatory attacks are coming after an earlier attack by suspected Fulanis on the natives of the LGA. About 200 Fulani herdsmen mostly made up of women and children from Challa community fled the LGA for neighbouring Tafa village in Kaduna state to take refuge.

Challa and surrounding communities were attacked on Thursday night by the marauders leading to the death of scores of people and destruction of properties. The villagers mobilised and launched a retaliatory attack on the Fulani community killing about ten persons, numerous livestock and torching over a hundred houses.

A Fulani herdsman said that the villagers came and attacked them in their community while accusing them of starting the crisis. He said that they repelled the attack but were later overpowered by the villagers who fought fiercely. The herdsman said he would have been killed if not for the intervention of the police who rescued them out of the area. Affected Fulani settlements include those in Mongor, Fakkos, Buntura Kaampari, Kunnet Jimlan and Fashan Maikarfi.

Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Tafa CSP B Batagarawa confirmed the presence of the fleeing Fulani in the area and stated that he was informed by Alhaji Ardo Abdullahi who is a community leader. He promised to provide adequate security for them.

In a related development the Southern Kaduna People Union (SOKAPU) decried the influx of herdsmen fleeing Plateau to Southern Kaduna. National president of the union, Dr Ephraim Goje stated this while speaking to journalist in Kaduna. The group said that the rising incidents of night attacks in their communities were occasioned by the mass exodus of herdsmen from neighbouring states.

Goje called on the Kaduna State Governor Alhaji Muhktar Yero to send the fleeing herdsmen back to where they came from as they should not be allowed to take refuge in southern Kaduna after instigating crisis in Plateau. He said that the Southern Kaduna should not be held liable for any action they may be forced to take if the Governor does not act fast.

by Henry Johnson

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Fulanis flee Plateau after reprisal attacks