Fresh controversy has trailed the recent killings in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, as a survivor has accused security operatives of failing to respond to distress calls during the attack and allegedly shielding herders.
The woman, who lost eight members of her family in the April 9 assault on Mbwelle village in the Kwatas district, claimed that soldiers deployed under Operation Ensuring Peace did not intervene despite repeated pleas from residents.
Her account was contained in a video circulated on Sunday by conflict journalist Kim Masara Usman, in which she recounted how armed assailants, suspected to be Fulani militia, invaded the community and unleashed violence for hours.
According to her, the attackers operated unchallenged for over two hours while villagers frantically contacted nearby troops stationed less than three kilometres away.
“We called the soldiers and begged them to come and save us, but they did not respond,” she alleged.
The grieving woman said the assailants stormed homes, killing indiscriminately, including her relatives.
“They entered our house and killed eight members of my family, including a pregnant woman.
“My father, brothers, and young nephews were all murdered,” she said, adding that more than 20 people were eventually killed in the attack.
She further alleged that after carrying out the assault, the attackers retreated to a nearby settlement identified as Korong, which she claimed had earlier been overrun and occupied.
In a development that has sparked outrage, the woman alleged that a military gun truck was later sighted stationed in front of the settlement, raising suspicions among residents.
“We later saw that soldiers had positioned their vehicle there, appearing to guard the same people who attacked us, while our community was left defenceless,” she said.
The allegations have heightened concerns over the conduct of security personnel in conflict-prone areas of Plateau State, where communities have repeatedly reported delayed or inadequate response to attacks.
As of the time of filing this report, authorities had yet to officially respond to the claims.