A pall of grief hovered over a section of Plateau State as a traditional ruler in the state, the Saf Ron Kulere, Sir Lazarus Agai,  was on Monday  murdered in his community of Sha, by persons suspected to be Fulani herdsmen. The late ruler who was also the Chairman of Bokkos Traditional Council was allegedly murdered alongside his driver and a police orderly on his way from his farm. Bokkos is the hometown of the former governor of the state, Chief Joshua Dariye.

A member representing Bokkos Constituency in the state House of Assembly, Mr. Sunday Muchen and the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Assistant Superintendent of Police  Tyopev Terna,  confirmed the incident.

“This is one murder too many. We live in constant fear in this state”, a grocery trader in Bokkos, simply identified as Mary, said.

The murder has prompted the Governor of the state, Mr. Simon Lalong, to impose curfew in Bokkos.

The Director of Press and Public Affairs to the governor, Mr. Emmanuel Nanle, said in a statement on Monday, that preliminary security report before the governor had confirmed the attack.

Below is the statement:

“The incidence took place at about 3pm yesterday (Monday) while the chief was on transit from a neighbouring village.

“The governor has therefore summoned an emergency meeting of security agencies tomorrow (Tuesday) so as to come up with strategies to prevent reprisals from aggrieved groups.

“To avert any breakdown of law and order, the government has decided to impose a curfew on the area.”