The Chairman of the Management Committee of Plateau State’s Bokkos Local Government Area said on Wednesday that 148 people were killed in the council’s Christmas Eve attack. This came as the death toll in the state’s three local government areas rose to 195.
148 were killed in the Bokkos Local Government Area, 19 in the Mangu Local Government Area, and 27 in the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area. 1,290 houses were destroyed in Bokkos council; one house was destroyed in Mangu LGA; and the location of Barkin Ladi was unknown at press time.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) condemned the Christmas Eve massacre in Plateau carried out by terrorists in three local government areas.
The party described as heartbreaking the chilling reports of how defenceless Nigerians were gruesomely murdered and over 10,000 displaced by terrorists in the Bokkos and Barkin Ladi areas of Plateau State in unrelenting attacks that lasted until Monday morning.
Meanwhile, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has urged government officials at all levels to uphold their responsibilities in protecting citizens’ lives and property.
However, Vice-President, Kashim Shettima has assured the survivors of the co-ordinated attacks that the Federal Government will not let the incident slide but will ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
President Bola Tinubu approved the activation of an immediate humanitarian response and support for the victims of the Plateau massacre.
Furthermore, the Community Advancement and Humanitarian Enhancement Initiative (CSCHEI), a civil society organisation, has described it as a stark reminder of the nation’s deep-seated security challenges in the aftermath of the Plateau massacre, which claimed over 150 lives and displaced scores.
In his speech on Wednesday, Monday, Kassa, the chairman of the Bokkos LGA Management Committee, stated that the data provided to the council thus far indicates that 148 individuals have lost their lives, 88 are undergoing treatment in various hospitals, 1,290 homes have burned down, and 25 communities have been attacked.
The Transition Committee Chairman of Mangu LGA, Markus Artu, said 19 people were killed in the Lar’apya community in the Kerang District of Mangu.