The Gan Allah Fulani Development Association (GAFDAN) in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State has again denied any involvement of its members in the deadly attack on Mbwelle village, Kwatas district, where over 20 residents, including eight from the same family, were killed.
The denial comes amid growing claims in some quarters that suspected Fulani militias were responsible for the violence, a development that has further strained relations within the community.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Bokkos Chairman of the association, Saleh Adamu, dismissed the allegations as unfounded, stressing that no credible evidence had linked Fulani herders to the killings.
Adamu said the group had consistently sensitised its members on the importance of peaceful coexistence, warning against acts capable of igniting conflict regardless of provocation.
While condemning the incident, he described the attack as disturbing and unjustifiable, but faulted what he termed the rush to implicate Fulani people without verified facts.
He noted that the affected community had experienced relative peace prior to the incident, making the sudden outbreak of violence both shocking and questionable.
“We are deeply concerned about the reports of the attack, particularly because the area had remained calm for some time,” Adamu stated.
“It is troubling that accusations are being made so quickly, pointing fingers at Fulani people without any concrete proof.
“We categorically reject any claim that our members were involved in the killings in Mbwelle or elsewhere in Plateau State.”
He added that the association had been actively engaging in peace-building efforts through regular meetings, which had begun to yield positive results before the latest incident.
Adamu called on security agencies to carry out a comprehensive investigation to uncover those responsible and ensure justice is served.
