No fewer than 96 persons were killed and 221 destroyed as gunmen attacked 15 communities in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau on Christmas Eve.
The assailants also destroyed eight vehicles and 27 motorcycles, police spokesman in the state, DSP Alfred Alabo, stated on Tuesday in Jos.
“On 24 December 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 the 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 development will be communicated soon,’’ Mr 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.
Mr Alabo stated also that communities attacked in Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area were NTV, Hurum and Darawat.
Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has reacted to the horrifying incidents that occurred in Plateau State on Christmas Eve.
The apex Christian body sent its condolence to 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 Local Government Area, LGA.
In a statement signed by Archbishop Daniel Okoh, CAN President, the body said it stands with the victims at this time of grief.
“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.
“We condemn these acts of violence in the strongest possible terms. The burning down of houses, worship centers, 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. Such acts have no place in our society and must not be allowed to prevail.
“We commend the swift intervention of the Military and the deployment of a joint police and military task force to restore peace and prevent further lawlessness in the affected communities. We recognize the efforts of State Governor Caleb Mutfwang in calling for peace and unity amid such adversity.
“However, while appreciating these immediate responses, we urge the security agencies to intensify their efforts in intelligence gathering and proactive interventions to pre-empt and forestall these types of dastardly acts in the future. Our people deserve to live in peace, and it is high time we moved from reactive to preventive measures.
“We believe in the unity and strength of our nation. We acknowledge the resilience of the people of Plateau State and the nation at large. We must reinforce this unity and resilience in the face of such adversity. Let us shun all forms of violence and embrace the peace and unity that our nation so desperately needs.
“In this season of love and giving, let us remember the victims and their families not only in our prayers, but also by reaching out to them with relief materials. Let us extend our empathy and support, and commit to building a peaceful and prosperous Plateau State and Nigeria as a whole,” he said.
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