Again, Community Chief Murdered in Plateau

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos
A community chief in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State was on Monday night murdered in his house at Fakkos village by yet -to-be identified gunmen.

The Chief, the Madakin Garam, Mr. Amos Marit, was trailed by his killers to his house at Fakkos village where they shot him on his back and escaped immediately.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Terna Tyopev, while confirming the incident, said: “Yes, it happened. Two of the man’s relative came to the station and reported that at about 8.35p.m on Sunday, some people broke into his house, shot him on the back and ran away.

“The relatives took him to a hospital in Bokkos where he died in the process of receiving treatment. The area is however peaceful as we speak, but investigation is on to ascertain those behind the dastardly act.”

Also confirming his death, the member representing Bokkos constituency in the state House of Assembly, Mr. Sunday Muchen, said: “A neighbour of the deceased called me this morning (Monday) to report that the chief was murdered by unknown gunmen who came on a motorcycle.”

Although no group has claimed responsibility, reports say Fulani residents near the community have since yesterday vacated the area. It is however not clear if the Fulani action was to avoid reprisal or victimisation.
According to multiple sources, the chief, Marit, was trailed to his house in Fakkos village in the late hours of the day by some yet-to-be identified persons.

Muchen confirming the incident saying: “A neighbour of the deceased called me this morning to report that the chief was murdered by unknown gunmen who came on motorcycle.”
He added that the village head was alleged to have received several threats prior to the attack.

Although no group has claimed responsibility, reports said Fulani residents near the community have vacated the area since on Sunday. It is however not clear whether they ran away to escape reprisal or to avoid victimisation.

This is about the fifth of such incidences in the local government area in two years. In 2016, a village chief of Kwatas village was murdered. Shortly later, a second chief from Monguna district was also murdered. And two weeks after the incident, the paramount ruler of Bokkos, Lazarus Agai, was killed. Earlier this year, a newly elected chief in Monguna was again murdered.
Authorities had since the murder of Agai promised to fish out the perpetrators but no one has been apprehended so far.