Suspected Gunmen Kill Plateau Traditional Ruler

The Mishkaham Bokkos, Da Jatau Yohanna Samkwar, has reportedly died after suspected gunmen shot him at his residence in Daffo, Bokkos local government area of Plateau State.

The monarch was reportedly attacked on Monday night and shot in the leg before being rushed to a hospital in Daffo for treatment.

LEADERSHIP gathered that Samkwar was later referred to another medical facility but reportedly died on Wednesday, according to a community leader.

The chairman of the Community Peace Observers in Bokkos local government area, Kefas Mallai, who confirmed the incident, expressed concern over the prevailing security situation in the area.

Mallai said, “They came to his house at night and shot him in the leg. He was rushed to a hospital in Daffo, but he was later referred to another hospital. Unfortunately, he died.”

He disclosed that the traditional ruler’s son had allegedly been kidnapped earlier but was released on Sunday, before the attackers returned to the residence and shot his father.

Mallai lamented that repeated attacks and killings had become a source of concern in Bokkos, adding that the residents continued with their daily activities despite the prevailing security challenges.

He said, “There are too many in Bokkos. Almost every day, somebody is killed or something happens. ”

“The situation is becoming normalised to the extent that people no longer report every incident because they have become used to hearing about killings.”

“People are still moving about, markets are open and businesses are going on. People cannot stop running their businesses because of fear, even though the security situation remains a concern.”

The community leader also disclosed that three people were reportedly attacked while travelling on a motorcycle along a road linking communities in the area, with two of them allegedly killed and one injured.

According to him, the incident occurred in broad daylight, raising concerns about the safety of residents travelling between communities in Bokkos.

Mallai said some community members relied on security information before travelling, adding that residents were sometimes advised to avoid certain routes when intelligence indicated possible danger.

Meanwhile, efforts to reach the Public Relations Officer of the Plateau State Police Command DSP Alfred Alabo for his reaction was unsuccessful at the time of filling this report.