Soldiers Asked Fulani Attackers for Permission to Recover Bodies, Says Pastor

A Plateau State pastor has revealed a shocking incident involving military operations in Dong community, Jos North Local Government Area. The clergyman disclosed that soldiers required permission from Fulani militants before evacuating corpses of church members killed in recent attacks.

The pastor shared this troubling account in a Facebook video on Monday. He explained that Fulani militias attacked the Dong community, killing several people including a woman and her child who were visiting to offer condolences.

Community Forced to Seek Military Help

According to the pastor’s testimony, community members couldn’t safely retrieve the bodies for burial themselves. They contacted military authorities for assistance in recovering the remains of their loved ones. What happened next stunned the waiting mourners.

When soldiers arrived at the scene, they made an unexpected move. The military personnel contacted the Fulani militants by phone to seek permission to enter the area. The armed group granted exactly ten minutes for the evacuation operation.

As detailed in the complete version, there are several key factors to consider.

The pastor described the tense scene: “In my presence, they called the Fulani people and they responded that they gave the soldiers 10 minutes to go in and take the corpses.” The community waited anxiously at the burial ground, prepared to conduct funeral rites immediately upon the bodies’ return.

Race Against Time for Burial

Soldiers hurried community members during the grim recovery process. The military personnel repeatedly warned them to work quickly, emphasizing the strict time limit imposed by the militants. This created enormous pressure during an already traumatic situation.

After managing to retrieve the corpses within the allotted time, soldiers departed immediately. Their quick exit left community members vulnerable and concerned about further attacks. The pastor recalled their fear: “We did not know whether they left us to be killed by the attackers or what?”

Despite the dangerous circumstances, the community completed the burials and returned safely to their homes. This incident has raised serious questions about security operations in conflict-affected areas of Plateau State. The pastor’s testimony highlights the complex challenges facing communities caught between armed groups and security forces.