Plateau Death Toll Rises To 195 As 1,290 Houses Razed
Afimag.com –
Following several attacks and destruction of houses in Plateau State by suspected bandits, the state Management Committee Chairman of Bokkos Local Government Area, has reacted to the development, saying that 148 people were killed in the Christmas Eve attack in the council.
Of the number, 148 were killed in Bokkos Local Government Area, 19 in Mangu Local Government Area, and 27 in Barkin Ladi. 1,290 houses were burnt down in Bokkos council, one house was razed in Mangu LGA and that of Barkin Ladi was yet to be ascertained at the time of filing this report.
The said incident orchestrated by terrorists in various attacks in three local government areas on Christmas Eve has attracted wide condemnation from concerned individuals and groups.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, described the attack as a heart-rending, noting that the murdering and displacing of 10,000 people by terrorists in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi areas of Plateau State, in unrestrained attacks is uncalled for.
In the same development, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III has charged the government at all levels to wake up from slumber and their constitutional duty of protecting the lives and properties of citizens.
On his part, the Vice President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima, told the survivors of the attacks that the Federal Government has set every machinery in motion to make the culprits to face full weight of law.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu approved activation of immediate humanitarian response and support to the victims of the Plateau massacre.
Also, a civil society organisation, Community Advancement and Humanitarian Enhancement Initiative, CSCHEI, has called on the leaders to address the security challenges rocking the nation, saying Plateau massacre, is unjustified.
The Management Committee Chairman of Bokkos LGA, Monday Kassa, explained that the reports submitted to the local government council was an indication that over 148 people died, while 88 people are receiving treatments in different hospitals.
He added that 1,290 houses were brought down by fire as 25 communities were attacked, saying, “These attacks are unprovoked and they were well coordinated by our assailants because they took place in all the 25 communities simultaneously.”
The Transition Committee Chairman of Mangu LGA, Markus Artu said, 19 persons were killed in the Lar’apya community in the Kerang District of Mangu.
He added that the 19 were from the same family and a house was burnt in the community, adding that the incident happened on December 23.
In Barkin Ladi LGA, Rwang Tengwong, the National Publicity Secretary, of Berom Youth Moulders-Association, BYM, said villages attacked include Daruwat, Hurum, Hirpiya, Mai Yanga and Ntv, while 26 persons were killed.
He said, that in Daruwat, eight persons were killed; Hurum, one person; Hirpiya, two persons; Mai Yanga, 16 persons and Ntv, 10 persons.
According to him, “The number of houses burnt is yet to be ascertained because three of the villages were completely razed and there are no people there.”