The traditional ruler of Bokkos, Mishkaham Bokkos, Da Jatau Yohanna Samkwar, has been murdered.
Samkwar died from wounds sustained on his legs from shots by gunmen who invaded his residence in Daffo, Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State on Monday night.
The traditional ruler, who initially survived the attack, was rushed to a hospital in Daffo for treatment, from where he was later referred to another medical facility but succumbed to the injuries.
Chairman of the Community Peace Observers in Bokkos Local Government Area, Kefas Mallai, who confirmed the incident on Wednesday, 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 reportedly 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 residents continued with their daily activities despite the prevailing security challenges.
He said, “The incidents 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.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Alfred Alabo, couldn’t be reached for comment as his phone was unreachable.