‘We Called Soldiers During Bandit Attack, They Said No Fuel’ – Plateau Community Leader

A community leader in Kwi District, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, has accused troops stationed near the village of failing to respond to distress calls during a deadly terrorist attack that killed over 25 people two weeks ago. 

John Bot, while recounting the incident in an interview with conflict journalist Masara Kim Usman, said the community made frantic calls to soldiers of Operation Enduring Peace, who were deployed less than two miles away, but were told the troops could not intervene because their vehicles had no fuel.

 According to Bot, the attackers identified as Fulani terrorists had a free rein in the village, killing residents including women, children, the elderly, and a pastor, as the community was left defenceless.

“I personally called the team myself but got the same response. They refused to come, leaving us at the mercy of the terrorists who ended up killing 25 people,” he said.

 Bot expressed further suspicion, noting that the soldiers only arrived with their vehicles and motorcycles after the terrorists had retreated and the attack was over.

“I don’t want to accuse the soldiers of conniving with the terrorists, but all indications point towards such connivance,” he added.

 The incident has sparked outrage and raised fresh questions about the effectiveness and readiness of security deployments in volatile parts of Plateau State.

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