No Fuel In Our Vehicle’ – Soldiers Allegedly Watched As Terrorists Massacred 25 In Plateau

A community leader in Kwi District, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, John Bot, has alleged that soldiers stationed less than two miles from the community failed to respond to repeated distress calls during an attack that claimed more than 25 lives.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Bot claimed the troops, deployed under Operation Enduring Peace, told residents they could not intervene because their operational vehicles had no fuel.

According to him, the attack occurred about two weeks ago when armed terrorists stormed the community, opening fire on residents and leaving scores dead.

Speaking during an interview with conflict journalist Masara Kim Usman, Bot said he personally reached out to the soldiers for assistance but received the same explanation.

He lamented that the troops’ failure to respond left villagers defenceless as the attackers allegedly killed women, children, elderly residents and a pastor.

Bot expressed disbelief that security personnel stationed so close to the community were unable to act during the deadly assault.

“It was heartbreaking that when Fulani terrorists invaded our community, we repeatedly called soldiers stationed less than two miles away, but they said they could not come because there was no fuel in their vehicles,” he said.

He added, “I personally contacted the team and got the same response. They never came, leaving us at the mercy of the terrorists, who killed 25 people, including a pastor, women, children and elderly residents.”

The community leader disclosed that the village head was among the first to alert the military immediately the attack began.

According to Bot, the Commander of the nearby Operation Enduring Peace unit informed the traditional ruler that the troops could not be deployed because their trucks lacked fuel.

“Our village head immediately contacted the soldiers when the attack started, but the Unit Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, whose base is just outside the village, said their trucks had no fuel and they could not respond,” he stated.

‘Troops Arrived After Attack Ended’

Bot further alleged that the same commander later arrived in the community with soldiers, trucks and motorcycles after the attackers had already withdrawn.

He questioned how the security personnel were able to mobilise their vehicles after the incident despite claiming they had no fuel during the emergency.

“After the terrorists had completed the attack and retreated, the commander eventually arrived with his men, trucks and motorcycles. It makes one wonder where the fuel suddenly came from,” he said.

The community leader condemned what he described as the military’s failure to protect residents despite maintaining a base close to the affected village.

He argued that the delayed response allowed the attackers to operate unhindered and inflict heavy casualties on innocent civilians.

Bot also expressed concern over what he described as the suspicious conduct of the security personnel before and after the attack.

While stopping short of directly accusing the troops of collaborating with the attackers, he said the circumstances surrounding their failure to respond had raised serious concerns within the community.

“I don’t want to accuse the soldiers of conniving with the terrorists, but everything that happened has raised serious questions,” he said.

The allegations have not been independently verified, and the Nigerian military had not issued an official response to the claims as of the time of filing this report.