Plateau Police confirm over 79 killed on Christmas eve attacks as Governor declares attacks unprovoked

By Raymond Gukas, Jos

Plateau State Governor, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang, has declared that the Christmas eve attacks on communities in two local government areas were “unprovoked assaults” and called for united efforts to identify and apprehend those responsible for these heinous acts.

The governor stated this in a press release signed by the Director of Press Affairs, Government House, Jos, Gyang Bere, adding that the resilience of the Plateau people in the face of these unwholesome acts have been taken for granted.

He was reacting on the ugly incident at a time the state police command has deployed its deputy commissioner in charge of operations to relocate to the troubled spot with immediate effect.

The Governor then acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s support to the Nigerian Army in maintaining security issues and also commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoheed Lagbaja and the Commander Operation Safe Haven for their commitment to addressing various security challenges facing Plateau and the nation.

“It is disheartening that we have lost numerous lives due to incessant attacks in Mangu, Bokkos, and Barkin-Ladi. These senseless and unprovoked acts are unnecessary and unjustifiable. I appeal to the sponsors of these attacks to reconsider, as there is nothing to gain from such violence. The spirit of the Plateau people will not be broken”, Mutfwang emphasized.

The governor praised the bravery and sacrifices of security personnel, acknowledging the injuries sustained by some during efforts to secure the affected villages.

He assured of continued collaboration with the Military and other security agencies to address security challenges, given the limited resources available.

While expressing sympathy for the affected families and communities, Governor Mutfwang urged citizens to stand strong, assuring them that the government is actively working to address the situation. He called upon the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Plateau State Emergency Management Agency to swiftly respond to the humanitarian crisis resulting from the attacks.

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Okoro J. Alawari, has declared that thorough Investigation and monitoring of the incidents in the affected local government areas is still on and further development will be communicated soon.

He expressed grieve over the deadly attacks which he said “took place in some remote villages of Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State carried out by some yet to identified assailants on the 24/12/2023 at odd hours of the night, and sympathizes with the families of those who lost their loved ones in the gruesome attack.

“The following twelve (12) villages in Bokkos LGA were attacked; Ndun, Ngyong, Murfet, Makundary, Tamiso, Chiang, Tahore, Gawarba, Dares, Meyenga, Darwat and Butura Kampani village with additional three villages in Barkin-Ladi LGA namely; NTV, Hurum and Darawat were also attacked.

“Findings from the assessment of the ugly incidents in Bokkos LGA revealed that the total number of villages attacked is twelve (12), two hundred and twenty-one (221) houses were set ablaze, twenty- seven (27) motorcycles were burnt, eight (8) motor-vehicles were burnt down and over seventy -nine (79) persons were killed. while seventeen deaths was recorded in Barkin-ladi LGA”, the police spokesman, Alfred Alabo said in an e-signed press release.