If Nigerians Resort to Self-Defense! By Bolaji O. Akinyemi

N.B: Post contains graphic pictures.

The update on gangster killings of Ron ethnic people in Bokkos LGA, Plateau State, Nigeria, calls for a global partnership to resolve it.

Before the reported incident in Uromi on the 28th of March, Ruwi in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State was visited on 27th March by a gangster of Fulani herdsmen, leaving behind 11 corpses and injured victims. Uromi is unfortunate, but most unfortunate is the reality that incidents with worse outcomes are being perpetrated almost daily in other places without getting any iota of attention. This of course is for political reasons rather than the pursuit of humanitarian imperatives. My submission therefore is, there is a conspiracy of silence from all who should be uncomfortable and concerned. All the governmental authorities at the local council, state and federal tiers have kept sealed lips for political exigencies and don’t want a mention of such incidents as those in Bokkos; they are just playing to the gallery and keeping quiet.

The media are caps in their hands before governmental authorities of the day.

There is fire on the Plateau! If not put out, it may raze down the constitution of the country. The world needs to know that the casualty figure coming from the Plateau, especially Bokkos in just two days, is more than what the Gaza is experiencing; without a mention of it on Fox News, Al-Jazeera, CNN, not even the friendly BBC is dedicating its airtime to the ongoing massacre in Bokkos;
Nigeria Television Authority, Radio Nigeria and other information services of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation are Pipers in service of their paymaster. Poor condition of service is the reason many security personnels are trading security and welfare of citizens for pecuniary benefits. One of the poorest renumerated profession in Nigeria is Journalism. Name is the motivation for that profession from back in the days; but how many in pursuit of name are willing to earn the wages of death without justice like Dele Giwa?

If the government of the day with Nuhu Ribadu as its security adviser has chosen the part of silence, where is the opposition whose silence has become worrisome; why is El-Rufai with all the zeal to see the end of this Government not concerned about the carnage in Bokkos? Why is Peter Obi providing statistics about the economy and isn’t interested in the first duty of the government; which is security of life and property? Why is the information on the economy specific and that on security generalised as insecurity?

Atiku Abubakar is the leader of the opposition in Nigeria why is he not concerned about Bokkos? Why is the Sultan who wants Sharia incubated in every nook and crannies of Nigeria, especially the South bloc of Nigeria quite about the killing of Ron ethnic people by his tribesmen on the Plateau? Why is CAN that wanted Northern Christian Children in school during Ramadan and was bold enough to head for court not doing anything about the Christians being killed DAILY?

APC is the party in opposition in Plateau State and the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, as the Governorship Candidate of the party in the last election is the leader of the party in the state. Why aren’t they putting the Government of the day on its toes? Why is the Christian in the Minister in conspiracy with the Christian in Governor Caleb Mutfwang on the killing of their people for politics? If Christians in Kaduna are being persecuted for the dominance of Muslims in leadership of Kaduna State, why is Plateau with Christian dominance in power suffering like the Christians of Southern Kaduna?

If Mutfwang has failed to inform President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the killings of not less than 52 Ron ethnic persons in two days, what has happened to the Hon minister from plateau state and most critically the security cum intelligence agencies who rose to the occasion when Fubara failed to in River State and provided Intel to Mr President?

Or is the President culpable in the conspiracy of silence?

It’s needless to wipe the tears of Ron ethnic people; for while they are still crying in one place another carnage is often reported.

A shocking statement signed by
Amb. Hon. Barr. Panmak Mark Lere, Chairman, and Ankuka Dekom Paul, Secretary, On behalf of
YOWICAN Plateau State, dated 3/04/2025 is far from the reality of what the figures of casualties was, it states;
“It is with a heavy heart that we report the tragic loss of at least three lives due to these attacks, undermining the historical legacy of peace and coexistence that characterizes our communities”.

What informed the claim of “at least 3 people”, by YOWICAN?

Plateau Government condemns the killings in Bokkos Local Government a report filed
By Omolola Fadile, in Jos, dated April 3rd, 2025 on an online media, states;
The Plateau State Government has strongly condemned the killing of innocent citizens in a fresh wave of attacks on five communities in the Bokkos Local Government Area.

This latest violence comes just six days after a similar attack in Ruwi community, where [11] people were shot dead and three others injured during a wake-keep ceremony.

Confirming the incident on Thursday, the Chairman of the Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC), Vanguard Barr. Fuddang, described the attacks as devastating.

“There were attacks yesterday affecting five villages. It began in Mongor, but security forces repelled the attackers. However, they moved on to Daffo, where they struck before being chased away. From there, they launched attacks on Manguna, Hurti, and Tadai villages. “In just one week, we have lost over 20 community members due to these marauding terrorists”. This is in sharp contrast to the figure of at least 3 reported by YOWICAN.

Fuddang, however acknowledged the swift response of the Nigerian military and police, “WHO CHASED AWAY” criminals they should neutralise, at least their efforts helped minimize casualties.

The curiosity of the conflicting figures of casualties reported by Yowican, BCDC and at least 52, from local sources call for a spotlight on the plateau state government and the security agencies to speak out and come clean on the incidents affecting Ron ethnic people. Why should casualties in scores of people be stated in uncertain figures as “at least”?

I am worried about the quality of representation that the people of Bokkos Local Government Area are getting through Hon. David Lalu, Bokkos/Mangu Federal Constituency and Senator Diket Plang, representing Plateau Central. The public should be, too!. Much as I tried, I couldn’t reach either of them for a comment on the plight of the people who voted them to represent them at the National Assembly.

From the day before Uromi, Ron ethnic people have been crying till this moment. 2 days of carnage left behind at least 52 corpses in Ron ethnic homeland on 27th March & 2nd April 2025. Please, challenge any figure lower than what I am reporting here:

(i) Ruwi = 11

(ii) Hurti = 36 (31 mass burial+ 5 kids burnt to ashes)

(iii) Manguna = 4

(iv) Daffo = 1

Further updates about 6 missing persons were being awaited when I put fingers to keys to get these facts out to you. Ongoing is the search and rescue mission in Hurti and Mbar for the missing persons.

Since 2015 that APC took the reign of leadership in the country, fulani gangster killing termed insecurity has become a cultural practice and way of life in Nigeria. Ron ethnic people had their first onslaught in 2016 with devastating assaults and killing of their monarchs including their Paramount Saf Ron who has been incommunicado to date, despite a N10m bounty by the Nigerian Police Force. From time immemorial the tilt of power has been to the advantage of the Fulani tribes. However the venturing of Fulani herdsmen into terrorism has made matters worse. It is hard to admit the argument that gangster killing spree is not a past time of the fulani herdsmen. Increase in the nefarious activities of herdsmen in 2015 have earned the Fulani cohorts a bad name with the Global Terrorism Index listing Fulani herdsmen as the fourth deadliest terror group in the world after ISIL, Taliban, and Al-Shabaab, with Boko Haram being the third deadliest. Recent events however have placed Fulani herdsmen ahead of every other group in terror machinations across the country.

The recent surge in terrorist attacks in Bokkos, Plateau State, has led to a devastating loss of lives and property. As the situation continues to deteriorate, it has become imperative for Nigerians to take proactive measures to ensure their safety and security.

The Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC) Vanguard has urged residents to exercise their constitutional right to self-defense, as the Nigerian military and police face logistical and manpower challenges.

Their statements aren’t based on ethnic sentiment, but a logical decision reinforced by the professionalism of informed personnel who provided the advice, which ought to have been provided by the office of the national security adviser !. The professional call to action emphasized the need for Nigerians to take their destinies into their own hands and position themselves as the first line of defense.

The advice cited the importance of vigilance and community efforts to protect lives and property, with examples of communities the herdsmen dared not for the treatment they got the last time they went there.

In light of these developments, Nigerians are advised to be prepared to defend themselves.

The international community is also urged to pressure Nigerian authorities to take decisive actions to end the violence and protect Christians and other religious groups from radical gangster terrorist groups.

Let us be courageous and let all lovers of peace and humanity world over, work with Ron ethnic people to ensure safety and security in these challenging times.