Life in Hurti Community After Tragic Attacks Leave Over 40 Dead

Activities are gradually returning to normal in Hurti Community, Bokkos LGA of Plateau state following a devastating attack on residents by suspected Fulani terrorists which left over 40 people, mostly women and children dead.

A recent visit by the leadership of the Church of Christ in Nations, COCIN to the agrarian community which is situated deep within the hinterlands showed a vast expanse of fertile land and lush vegetation suitable for cultivation of potatoes, maize, cucumber, assorted vegetables and raising farm animals.

Traumatized faces of curious women and children peered from hiding, trying to carefully ascertain who we were. As our cars came to a halt, they quickly mobilized to come welcome us having noticed it was the convoy of the Church leadership.

Explaining what happened on that fateful day, traumatized 10yr old Israel Jah said he was at home with his mother and other siblings when suddenly, they heard gunshots around them and had to scamper for safety.

Just like Israel whose ambition is to become an engineer, most of the children of the community are traumatized as they cling to their mothers and get scared at the slightest sudden movement or loud sound.

Leading Pastor of the COCIN local Church, Rev. Amushu John said he had returned from town just some few minutes after when he saw the attackers descending on the settlement across the stream which was some few meters away on motorcycles.

“The next thing I heard was heavy gunfire and I saw the people scampering for safety. And while we made efforts to run to safety, another outburst of gunfire erupted within the rocks behind my house and then the next settlement which indicated that we had been surrounded.”

“At that point, I got separated from my wife and children as everyone was to himself. From my hideout, I could hear the attackers saying they were going to kill every male in this community so that they will take over but God’s mercy saved us”. Rev. John said.

Unfortunately, as the gun fires gradually came to a stop and the attackers vanished as quickly as they had come, they left behind over 40 corpses with others suffering varying degree of injuries from gunfire and machete cuts.

Security response was however greatly hampered due to the rocky terrain, bad road network and poor network reception which further made communication difficult.

Encouraging the people of Hurti, the COCIN President, Rev. Dr. Amos Mohzo read from Judges 10:6 condoled those who lost loved ones and pleaded with them to continue to hold unto God whose mercy is the reason why they are still alive as the enemy would have crushed them all in the attacks.

“In trying times like this, the faith of many Christians are usually shaken, making them to go back to idol worship for protection. But I assure you that we are the children of God and we are under His protection wherever we are. Every believer must understand that if we turn our backs against God, he will withdraw his protection over us. This is why God has assured us that we should call upon His name in the times of need and He will surely come to our rescue” Rev. Dr. Mohzo said.

Speaking about the land grabbing agenda, the Mai Anguwa of the area, Samuel Dauda said the traditional council has resolved that the people will not run and abandon their ancestral lands for the land grabbers to take over. That is why the people are still in the locality and the few who fled, are returning to continue with their farming activities especially now that the rains have set in.

True to his words, shortly after the interaction between the COCIN leaders and the people of the community, a security escort was met on the way returning mostly women and children who had fled to the nearby towns to take refuge.

Despite the many visits to the area, the people are still in desperate need of humanitarian assistance to help them rebuild their burnt houses and pick up what is left of their lives and move on. Special prayers were later offered for the protection of the people of the land by the COCIN President who was accompanied by his Vice, Rev. Dr. Timothy Nwan, the General Secretary, Rev. Assoc. Prof. Benjamin Pokol and other Provincial Church Council and Regional Church Council Chairmen. A special donation was also made to support the people rebuild their lives.