Gunmen have attacked 15 communitie in Bokkos and Barkin -Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau state killing about 115 persons and destroying properties on Christmas Eve, authorities have confirmed.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau state, narrating the attacks to newsmen, said the assailants were mean and heartless while carrying out the mayhem.
“Just when we had finished preparations for Christmas, unprovoked attacks were unleashed on our communities,” a sombre-faced Mutfwang narrated the blood-curling simultaneous attacks by assailants on over 15 communities in the Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas of the state on Christmas eve.
Several houses were set ablaze by the attackers on Sunday night. The gun-wielding and blood-curling men also looted farm produce and destroyed properties as they butchered the residents.
“As I am talking to you, in Mangu Local Government alone, we buried 15 people. As at this morning, in Bokkos, we are counting over 100 corpses. Not to talk of that of Barkin-Ladi.”
The governor said the attacks were “unprecedented and monumental”, noting that though the assailants intended to break the spirit of the people and pull down the two local governments, the spirit of the people on the Plateau remained unfazed.
Mutfwang, however, said the response time by security agents, especially the men of the Nigerian Army can be better.
The governor also said the attacks were unconnected to land disputes between aboriginal dwellers and marauding terrorists. He warned that the people attacked could defend themselves but it might get to a time that the people might not be able to restrain themselves from defending themselves and their lands against the assailants.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has condemned the attacks and called on the security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the attacks.
“We mourn with the families, friends, and communities who tragically lost their loved ones in the villages of Ruku, Hurum, Darwat, Mai Yanga Sabo, NTV, and Lisham Kwahasnat community in Wase LGA. We stand with you at this time of grief, and our prayers go out to you for comfort and strength. The loss of lives, including those of our brethren in the Baptist Church in Chirang village, is a devastating blow to our collective peace and unity.”
