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Plateau State Violence Escalates: New Attack After Christmas Tragedy
Plateau State, Nigeria, faced heightened violence as a community in Bokkos Local Government was attacked on Thursday night, following the tragic Christmas Day assaults. This Yuletide incident is the deadliest outbreak in Plateau since May, resulting in over 190 deaths and hundreds injured.
Transition Committee Chairman of Bokkos, Monday Kassah, revealed that marauders targeted the community at night, setting homes ablaze and causing widespread destruction. Fortunately, swift action by security personnel prevented further loss of life.
Addressing the situation, Kassah provided an update on the Christmas Day attacks, confirming that the death toll stands at 195. He detailed the distribution of casualties, with 148 in Bokkos, 19 in Mangu, and 27 in Barkin Ladi. Rescue operations were underway to locate missing persons.
The Christmas Day attacks, originating in Bokkos, spilled into neighboring Barkin Ladi, claiming an additional 30 lives, according to local chairman Danjuma Dakil.
Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang condemned the violence, denouncing it as “barbaric, brutal, and unjustified.” Gyang Bere, the governor’s spokesperson, assured that proactive measures would be taken to curb attacks against civilians.
Gunfire persisted into the late afternoon on Monday, indicating ongoing unrest in the region. Residents shared harrowing experiences, recounting how assailants attacked while people were asleep, capturing many and inflicting casualties.
Amnesty International criticized the Nigerian government for failing to address the frequent deadly attacks on Plateau state’s rural communities. The plateau region has long grappled with religious and ethnic tensions, resulting in numerous casualties and displacements.
The complex interplay of factors, including competition for natural resources between nomadic herders and farmers, population growth, and climate pressures, has exacerbated social tensions, sparking violence.
Expressing their concerns on social media, citizens on Twitter highlighted the escalating threats and insecurity in the country. They questioned the military’s effectiveness in curbing the surge in kidnappings, bombings, and killings of innocent Nigerian citizens. The situation underscores the urgent need for comprehensive efforts to address the root causes and protect vulnerable communities in Plateau State.
