Gunmen kill 96 persons, raze 221 houses in Plateau – Police; Tinubu condemns heinous attacks
By Polycarp Auta, Jos/ Ismail Abdulaziz, Abuja
Dec. 26, 2023
Gunmen attacked 15 communities in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau on Christmas eve; killed 96 persons and destroyed 221 houses.
In a swift reaction, President Bola Tinubu strongly condemned the heinous and brutal attacks which resulted in the tragic loss of many lives.
His reaction is contained in a statement by Presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale on Tuesday in Abuja.
Tinubu also directed security agencies to immediately move in, scour every stretch of the zone, and apprehend the culprits.
The president also directed the immediate mobilisation of relief resources for surviving victims of the primitive and cruel attacks as well as medical treatment for the wounded.
The assailants, according to a statement by Police spokesman in the state, DSP Alfred Alabo, on Tuesday in Jos, also destroyed eight vehicles and 27 motorcycles.
“On Dec. 24, at about 10 p.m., gunmen attacked 15 villages in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas simultaneously.
“Findings from the assessment of the incident in Bokkos revealed that 12 villages were attacked; more than 79 persons killed and 221 houses were set ablaze.
“Twenty-seven motorcycles and eight vehicles were equally burnt down.
“Three communities were attacked in Barkin-Ladi where 17 persons were killed.
“Investigation and monitoring are still on and further developments will be communicated soon,’’ Alabo stated.
He listed communities attacked in Bokkos Local Government Area as Ndun, Ngyong, Murfet, Makundary, Tamiso, Chiang, Tahore, Gawarba, Dares, Meyenga, Darwat and Butura Kampani.
Alabo stated also that communities attacked in Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area were NTV, Hurum and Darawat.
While condoling with the government and the people of Plateau, President Tinubu assured Nigerians that these envoys of death, pain, and sorrow would not escape justice.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has also condemned the killings in Plateau state.
Mr. Daniel Okoh, CAN president, in a statement on Tuesday, said “such acts have no place in our society.”
He said that the attack was not only criminal but also an assault on shared values of peace, unity and mutual respect.
“We condemn these acts of violence in the strongest possible terms.
“The burning down of houses, and worship centres, and the destruction of properties worth millions of Naira is not only a criminal act but also a direct assault on our shared values of peace, unity, and mutual respect,” Okoh said.
