Outrage and condemnation follow Christmas Eve attacks on communities in three local government areas of Plateau State, leaving the nation in shock. President Bola Tinubu, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, strongly condemned the attacks and ordered an immediate manhunt for the perpetrators.
The assaults, carried out by gunmen on Sunday, targeted numerous villages in Barkin Ladi, Mangu, and Bokkos areas of the state, resulting in the destruction of homes and loss of lives. According to Kefas Mallai, Chairman of Community Peace Observers in the Bokkos Local Government Area, over 150 people were killed, and more than 10,000 residents were displaced.
President Tinubu expressed condolences to the government and people of Plateau State, assuring Nigerians that those responsible for the “envoys of death, pain, and sorrow” would not escape justice. A high-power delegation of well-armed operational forces has been deployed to the affected areas to prevent further attacks.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State revealed the extent of the tragedy, stating that at least 15 people were buried in Mangun Local Government, and over 100 corpses were counted in the Bokkos Local Government alone. He lamented the displacement of 64 communities by terrorists who have occupied schools in the area for several years.
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The state Commissioner of Police, Okoro Alawari, reported 96 persons killed and 221 houses set ablaze during the attacks. However, conflicting figures emerged as Mallai claimed over 150 deaths, and the state government mentioned a toll of over 100.
Governor Mutfwang highlighted flaws in the state’s security architecture, acknowledging the need for adjustments. He called for the President’s intervention, emphasizing the importance of peace and preventive measures in addressing the escalating violence.
Prominent figures, including the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, and ex-federal lawmaker Shehu Sani, joined the chorus of condemnation. They called for thorough investigations, justice for victims, and an end to killings driven by ethnic sentiments.
The Northern States Governors’ Forum, through its Chairman Muhammadu Yahaya, described the attacks as reprehensible and heinous, expressing solidarity with Plateau State. The Northern Senators Forum also condemned the killings and urged authorities to investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) added their voices to the chorus of condemnation. CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, called the attacks a direct assault on shared values, urging security agencies to intensify preventive measures. NEF expressed suspicions regarding the government’s operational methods and demanded a public investigation into security lapses.
As the nation mourns the victims of this horrific incident, calls for justice, increased security measures, and national unity resonate across the country.