Gunmen kill traditional ruler in Plateau

Gunmen have killed Jatau Samkwar, the Mishkaham Bokkos, at his residence in Daffo, Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The traditional ruler was reportedly attacked on Monday night, 12 October, amid security concerns in the area.

The Mwaghavul Traditional Council, Bokkos branch, announced the killing, identifying the attackers as Fulani militias.

However, the identities of the perpetrators have not been independently established.

According to reports, the attackers invaded the monarch’s residence and shot him in the legs.

He was initially taken to a hospital in Daffo before being referred to another medical facility, where he reportedly died.

Kefas Mallai, chairman of the Community Peace Observers in Bokkos, confirmed the incident and expressed concern over the recurring attacks in the area.

Mr Mallai also disclosed that the traditional ruler’s son had reportedly been abducted but regained his freedom on Sunday, a day before the attack on his father.

As of the time of filing this report, the Mwaghavul Chiefdom and the Mwaghavul Development Association had yet to issue official statements on the attack.

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Efforts to obtain comments from the Plateau State Police Command spokesperson, Alfred Alabo, were unsuccessful, as his telephone lines were unreachable as of the time of filing this report.

The killing comes amid security challenges in Bokkos and other parts of Plateau State, where communities have experienced recurring attacks, killings and abductions.

In a related incident, three people travelling on a motorcycle along a road linking communities in the area were reportedly attacked. Two of them were killed, while the third sustained injuries.

The latest killing has raised fresh concerns about the safety of residents and traditional institutions in Plateau State, particularly in communities that have experienced repeated security threats.