The Bokkos Cultural Development Forum (BCDF) Vanguard has expressed serious concerns over what it described as the imminent threat of annihilation by terrorists faced by the remaining residents of Bokkos, in Plateau State.
The BCDF Vanguard also said that already, several communities have been seized and turned into no-go zones for Christian natives across this region, emphasising that one major town along the road to Bokkos – Lukfai, was displaced in similar manner as recently as 2015, while abandoned homes belonging to members of the Berom, Mwagavul, and Ron ethnic groups are presently being occupied without modification by terrorists.
It said that the only barrier preventing the terrorists from the Northeast and Nothwestfrom running over Plateau State is based on the fact that the Bokkos people are present between the border of Plateau and Nasarawa States.
These were contained in a statement by Mr. Farmasum Fuddang and Amb. Duwam Bosco, Chairman and Secretary respectively of BCDF Vanguard, in which they noted that it has been four months since over 50 of their members were brutally slaughtered by terrorists in the Hurti village in Manguna district in a single day.
The statement further that since that April 2025, attacks, more than 100 lives have been lost in ongoing assaults in Bokkos, with millions of dollars in properties, including crops, destroyed.
BCDF said two more people were killed and over 15 others seriously injured in violent attacks targeting the Mushere district, adding that affected villages include Dimar, Hokk, Margif, Kopmur, Nina, Ikgngwaghap, and Fokholdep.
The Bokkos Vanguard noted that the assaults have persisted since the murder of eight residents, including a pastor, in Kopmur village on May 26, 2025, stressing that while authorities went to sleep, terrorist cells in the forests bordering Nasarawa State have swollen and expanded into residential areas.
The statement said; “As of today, more than ten villages have been completely deserted, with terrorists looting and demolishing remaining homes and food storage facilities. “Across the district, crops including corn, potatoes and sugar cane nearing harvest have been destroyed across thousands of acres.
“With terrorists now freely roaming and shooting anyone in sight, including security personnel, we fear they are preparing to occupy these areas in the coming months.
“The strategy apparently is to keep pounding the surviving communities until they are completely annihilated or they get tired and flee, enabling them to takeover.
“The consequences of this would enable terrorists to move freely from the northwest and northeast, where military operations have recently intensified, to capture territory and establish safer camps throughout Plateau State, utilizing various roads and bush paths in Bokkos and neighboring Mangu, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom local government areas,” it said.
The BCDF Vanguard said that government authorities have witnessed the land grab and ethnic displacement in Plateau State and seem to ignore it, adding that currently, civilian guards risking their lives to prevent the incursions are being overwhelmed by both terrorists and military forces, which point to the fact, very soon, there will be no one left to challenge the aggressions.
The BCDF therefore called on Governor Caleb Mutfwang to utilize his position and the newly constituted committee on land use to halt the criminality and rights violations before the entire state is engulfed.
It said “We also demand the establishment of a joint civilian task force, similar to those in the northwest and northeast, to promote collaboration and effective community policing alongside the military.
“Additionally, we urge immediate action to raid emerging terrorist camps in Mushere and the prompt resettlement of displaced individuals, leveraging recent donations from committed groups and individuals, including the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Bola Tinubu.
“We call on our community members to remain resolute in their efforts to safeguard their fundamental right to life and existence, and we implore military and police authorities to support them as partners in this struggle,” the BCDF said.
