Attacks
In central Nigeria, a wave of attacks on villages has resulted in the tragic death of over a hundred people, according to local government officials on Monday. This toll starkly contrasts with the initial figure reported by the army on Sunday evening, which indicated only 16 casualties in a region plagued by longstanding religious and ethnic tensions.
Monday Kassah, the head of the local government in Bokkos, Plateau State, confirmed that the death toll had risen to as many as 113 individuals. The attacks, orchestrated by military gangs locally known as “bandits,” were described as “well-coordinated” and targeted over 20 different communities. Kassah revealed that more than 300 wounded individuals had been discovered and subsequently transferred to hospitals in Bokkos, Jos, and Barkin Ladi.
The violence, initially concentrated in the Bokkos area, spilled over into the neighboring Barkin Ladi, claiming the lives of an additional 30 people, as reported by local chairman Danjuma Dakil.
Despite condemnations from state officials, including Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who denounced the attacks as “barbaric, brutal, and unjustified,” the situation remained volatile. Gyang Bere, the governor’s spokesperson, assured that proactive measures would be taken to address the ongoing assaults against innocent civilians.
Gunfire was reported to still be audible late Sunday afternoon, indicating the persistent threat in the region. Amnesty International criticized the Nigerian authorities for failing to halt the frequent deadly attacks on rural communities in Plateau state, emphasizing the urgent need for effective intervention.
The northwest and central regions of Nigeria have long been plagued by bandit militias operating from remote forest bases, engaging in raids on villages for looting and kidnapping residents for ransom. The recent escalation underscores the gravity of the security challenges facing these areas.
