The Plateau State Command of the Nigerian Police Force has reported that gunmen carried out devastating attacks on Christmas Eve, resulting in the deaths of 86 individuals and the destruction of 221 homes across 15 communities in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas.
Alfred Alabo, the Command’s spokesperson, stated that the assailants also burned eight vehicles during the assaults.
In a statement on behalf of the State Commissioner of Police, Okoro Alawari, Alabo conveyed the Commissioner’s condolences and provided details of the affected villages.
The statement read, “The Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command, CP Okoro Alawari expresses grief over the deadly attacks that took place in some remote villages of Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State carried out by some yet-to-identified assailants on the December 24, 2023 at odd hours of the night, and sympathises with the families of those who lost their loved ones in the gruesome 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.”
He explained that the Commissioner had directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations to relocate to Bokkos LGA and also deployed a team of operational forces to the troubled areas to prevent further attacks and assess the level of damages in the affected areas.
“Findings from the assessment of the ugly incidents in Bokkos LGA revealed that the total number of villages attacked is 12; 221 houses were set ablaze, 27 motorcycles were burnt, eight motor vehicles were burnt down and over 79 persons were killed while 17 deaths were recorded in Barkin-ladi LGA.
“Investigation and monitoring of the incidents are still on. Further development will be communicated soon,” the statement made available to SaharaReporters partly read.
The Commissioner has directed increased police presence in the region to prevent further violence and assess the extent of the damage. Investigations into the incidents are ongoing, with updates to follow.
| Sahara Reporters
