Following the recent attack in Bokkos, Plateau State, tension escalates as residents voice their indignation through protests, urging enhanced security measures to safeguard their communities.
The streets of Bokkos town witnessed a poignant sight as women dressed in black attire flooded the streets, voicing their opposition to the presence of soldiers in the area.
According to reports, the unrest stems from a series of attacks, the latest occurring in Butura Kampany village on April 18th, resulting in the loss of two lives due to herders’ aggression. Swift intervention by security forces helped quell the violence.
Later that same day, at approximately 11:45 pm, Chikam village near Plateau State University (PLASU) fell victim to another attack, claiming the lives of three residents, including a student, a woman, and a child. This tragic incident triggered protests, with students barricading roads near the university gate and women staging demonstrations in the town, leading to the closure of businesses.
The tension extended to the Plateau State Polytechnic, prompting immediate action from the school management. In a press statement issued by Yakubu F. Ayuba, the Registrar of the institution, he mourned the loss of a 200-level computer science student named Dading James Jordan, who resided in Chikam.
Ayuba conveyed condolences on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor and the entire university management to the family of the deceased and the university community. He underscored ongoing efforts by the Plateau State government, security agencies, and university management to bolster security in the area but acknowledged the persistence of attacks despite these efforts.
In response to the tragedy, the university management declared a two-day mourning period on April 19th and 20th, suspending all scheduled examinations during this time. Encouraging students to remain composed, Ayuba urged security agencies to intensify efforts to safeguard the university and its environs while exploring additional security measures to bolster campus safety.
