Plateau community leader: ‘Soldiers claimed no fuel when bandits killed 25 — then showed up with trucks, motorcycles after attack’

A community leader in Plateau State’s Riyom Local Government Area has revealed that soldiers stationed less than two miles away refused to respond when terrorists attacked his village and killed over 25 people, claiming they had no fuel — but arrived in full force with vehicles and motorcycles only after the attackers had retreated.

The soldiers were two miles away. Twenty-five people died anyway.

John Bot, a community leader in the Kwi District of Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, has given a harrowing account of how troops of Operation Enduring Peace stationed barely two miles from his village refused repeated distress calls during a devastating terrorist attack two weeks ago — citing a lack of fuel in their vehicles.

In an interview with conflict journalist Masara Kim Usman, as reported by Daily Post, Bot said the attackers killed over 25 people, including a pastor, women, children and elderly residents who could not flee.

“It was pathetic and sad that during the invasion of our community by Fulani terrorists, we made frantic calls to soldiers stationed less than two miles away, but they said they could not come because they did not have fuel in their trucks,” Bot said. “I personally called the team myself but got the same response.”

Bot said the village head was the first to contact the military the moment the attack began. The Unit Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, whose base sits just outside the village, reportedly told the village head his trucks had no fuel and that he could not respond.

What happened after the attack made the explanation impossible for the community to accept.

“After the attack and the terrorists had safely retreated to their base, the Commander showed up with all his men, trucks, and motorcycles. So I wonder where they suddenly procured the fuel,” Bot said.

The community leader stopped short of making a direct accusation but left little ambiguity about his conclusions. “I don’t want to accuse the soldiers of conniving with the terrorists, but all indications point towards such connivance,” he stated.

The Nigerian Army has not publicly responded to Bot’s allegations. The attack occurred two weeks ago and no arrests have been publicly announced.