Plateau: Death Toll Rises To Over 200 As Stakeholders Harp On Justice For Victims

The death toll in the Christmas Eve Massacre in Bokkos local government area of Plateau State have risen to over 200.

Osun Defender gathered that as at yesterday (Wednesday), the Management Committee Chairman of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, said while 148 people died outrightly, death toll in the attack that lasted over 48 hours in the three local government areas rose to 195 from the injured victims.

The breakdown according to information indicated that of the total number, 148 were killed in Bokkos Local Government Area, 19 in Mangu Local Government Area, and 27 in Barkin Ladi, with most of those injured now giving up the ghost.

It was also learnt that 1,290 houses were razed in Bokkos council, one house was razed in Mangu LGA and that of Barkin Ladi was yet to be ascertained at press time.

Failure of Security Intelligence

According to reports, there was no way such event/massacre would have held without the alleged complicit of community leaders, as well as, federal security agents.

A source who spoke to reporters noted that the assailants who carried out the attacks simultaneously sent several warning and notices to the towns, without due attention from the government.

Civil society organisations also stressed that from indications, there was a grand as security agents deployed to the areas failed to níp the casualties in bud as at when the incident was fresh.

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang told Channels Television on Tuesday that as the attacks were ongoing, the government deployed all machineries of security to the areas, but he did not know why the incident was allowed to deteriorate to the level.

Stakeholders React

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, condemned the massacre in Plateau by terrorists in coordinated attacks in three local government areas on Christmas Eve.

The party described as heart-rending, the chilling reports of how defenceless Nigerians were gruesomely murdered and over 10,000 displaced by terrorists in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi areas of Plateau State, in unrestrained attacks which lasted till Monday morning.

Also, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III asked the government at all levels to live up to expectations in their duty of protecting the lives and properties of citizens.

However, Vice-President, Kashim Shettima who visited the survivors of the co-ordinated attacks assured that the Federal Government will not let the incident slide but will ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.

Shettima said President Bola Tinubu has 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 described as a stark reminder of the deep-seated security challenges that continue to plague the nation following Plateau massacre, which claimed over 190 lives and displaced scores.

The Management Committee Chairman of Bokkos LGA, Monday Kassa, who spoke to newsmen stressed further that reports available to the council show that so far, 148 people died, 88 people are receiving treatments in different hospitals, 1,290 houses burnt, 25 communities were attacked.

He said, “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.”