Information available to ViewPointNigeria indicates that the first class traditional ruler of Bokkos LGA, (the Saf Ron), Sir Lazarus Agai, was on Monday evening, 18th July 2016 ambushed and murdered in his village, Sha, by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

Baba Lazarus Agai who is the paramount ruler of Bokkos LGA, i.e., LGA where former governor, Chief Joshua Dariye hails from, was killed along with his son, police orderly and driver, while returning from the inspection of his farm in Sha.

The killing of the noble Saf Ron is the second murder of a notable Plateau royal father in the last two months, as earlier in June, the Saf Manguna (the traditional head of Manguna chiefdom) was equally waylaid and killed by suspected herdsmen in gruesome circumstances.

This deliberate targeting of Plateau Royal fathers may signal a change of tactics by Fulani marauders in their quests to weakening the resistance in terrains that oppose their occupation. Their previous tactics was that of guerilla warfare where  whole villages are targeted and wiped out in an orgy of carnage, but now appears to be targeting both the crown (the paramount rulers) and the people.

The murders of the Saf Ron and the Saf Manguna come exactly 4 years after the high profile murder of Senator Gyang Damtong and Hon Gyang Fulani (Majority leader of the Plateau State House of Assembly), who were also ambushed and gruesomely murdered on 8th July 2012 while attending the mass burial of their constituents killed by Fulani herdsmen at Matse village of Riyom LGA.

These killings will ignite the debate about how to co-habit with herdsmen on the Plateau and ways of finding lasting solutions to the perpetual attacks on native communities.

Without a doubt, since ascending leadership of Plateau state, the Lalong administration has managed to stave off attacks – a welcome departure from past occurrences where attacks happened several times every week. However, this high profile murder puts into perspective the clear and present danger that continues to confront Plateau people as they go about the daily activities.

It remains unclear how this incident may affect inter-community relations between Bokkos natives and Fulani herdsmen, but early indications suggests that the majority of people in the LGA were incredibly vexed that their traditional crown can be desecrated in such a manner and that such sacrilege can be committed to such an exalted throne. Some residents who spoke to our correspondent, expressed immense shock at the ease at which the traditional ruler was waylaid, praying for the repose of his soul.

At the time of filing this report, the bodies of the deceased, including HRH the Saf Ron were deposited at a mortuary in Jos, ahead of investigations which were said to have commenced.

Further information about the exact details of the incident was provided by the member representing Bokkos Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Mr. Sunday Muchen. Also, the Police Public Relations Officer of Plateau State, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Tyopev Terna, confirmed the incident, said that no one has been arrested in connection with the incident.

For Senator Jonah Jang’s reaction to the killing, see http://www.viewpointnigeria.com/jang-expresses-horror-abominable-killing-saf-ron-bokkos/

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Breaking News: Saf Ron/Kulere ambushed and gruesomely murdered by suspected herdsmen