According to the Plateau State Police Command, 86 individuals lost their lives and 221 houses were set ablaze during the Christmas Eve attacks conducted by gunmen in Plateau State.
In a statement signed by the command’s spokesman Alfred Alabo, the State Commissioner of Police, Okoro Alawari, revealed these statistics on Tuesday.
Alawari mentioned that the attacks, which occurred in 15 communities of Bokkos and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas, also resulted in the destruction of eight vehicles.
The statement conveyed the Commissioner of Police’s sorrow over the tragic attacks in remote villages of Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas. The assailants, yet to be identified, carried out the attacks on December 24, 2023, during the late hours of the night. The Commissioner expressed his sympathy for the families of the victims of the brutal attack.
“On December 24, 2023, at 2200hrs, the following 12 villages in Bokkos LGA were attacked; Ndun, Ngyong, Murfet, Makundary, Tamiso, Chiang, Tahore, Gawarba, Dares, Meyenga, Darwat and Butura Kampani.
“Similarly, on December 24, 2023, at about 2245hrs, three villages in Barkin-Ladi LGA namely; NTV, Hurum and Darawat were also attacked.”
To prevent further violence, the Commissioner of Police instructed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations to relocate to Bokkos LGA. Additionally, a team of operational forces was deployed to the affected areas to thwart further attacks and evaluate the extent of the devastation.
“Assessment of the unfortunate incidents in Bokkos LGA revealed that the total number of attacked villages was 12, with 221 houses set on fire, 27 motorcycles burnt, eight motor vehicles destroyed, and over 79 individuals killed, while 17 fatalities were reported in Barkin-Ladi LGA.
“Investigation and monitoring of the incidents are ongoing. Further updates will be communicated in due course,” the statement concluded.
