What would have been another bloodbath in Butura village in the Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State was averted by the gallantry of the locals.
Butura had witnessed a tragic massacre of over 200 persons during the 2023 Christmas Eve which has forced so many people to seek refuge in IDP camps.
According to reports, the terrorists upon their arrival to the community on motorcycles, faced resistance from a vigilante group set up by the local community.
An account named Citizens Observer on X, described the community’s resistance as “formidable.” The militant group was formed as a response to the recurring attacks in the community.
“Early this morning, while the world’s attention was on the #bomb explosion in #Ibadan, the #Fulani terrorists went for an attack on Butura, a village in Bokkos, the place where they killed over 200 #Christians on Christmas eve, but met a formidable resistance from the locals.
“That is what we want from the people of Middle Belt — arm yourselves and defend your land.
“Continue to organise yourselves in defence of your land; track every terrorist hideout in your locality and dislodge all of them.
“Those cowards are protected by the government; in actual fact, they can not fight without government covering up for them,” the post read.
However, the Plateau State Police Command countered this narrative, stating that it was the police, not local militants, who repelled the bandits.
Alfred Alabo, the spokesperson for the command, confirmed the incident but told Sahara Reporters that the police were still gathering facts to avoid disseminating inaccurate information.
