GUNMEN have reportedly killed over 70 people in a fresh attack on several communities in the Barkin-Ladi and Bokkos local government areas (LGAs) of Plateau state.
According to reports, the assailants attacked residences, looted farm produce, and set houses ablaze.
The Bokkos LGA transition implementation committee chairman, Monday Kasa, told Channels Television that the attacks began on Saturday, December 23 and continued on Christmas Eve, when locals were already preparing for Christmas.
Kasa added that more dead bodies were discovered by the security team, neighbourhood vigilantes, and hunters who were still searching the communities for missing people who were ambushed during the attacks. “This is why the number of casualties is rising”, he added.
According to a statement issued by Gyang Bere, director of press and public affairs in the state governor’s office, the governor, Caleb Mutfwang, became aware of the attacks and condemned the incident.
The governor directed security institutions in the state to ensure those responsible for the attacks were apprehended and brought to justice.
In addition, the governor urged residents of affected communities to keep vigilance and report any suspicious activity to security officers for prompt action.
While rescue efforts continue in the affected communities, neither the Police nor the combined security task force Operation Safe Haven has commented on the attacks.
In another development, eight people died after a terrorist group attacked the Jibia local government area of Katsina state.
During the attack, which took place on Sunday night, four persons were reportedly wounded, and two others were declared missing.
A resident of the LGA informed Channels Television that the victims were attacked by the terrorists who thronged the area in large numbers while they were returning from Yan Gayya community to Kukar Babangida village.
He said all of the deceased, aged between 22 and 47 were from Yan Gayya village and had been buried.
Jibia is situated near Niger’s border with Nigeria.
The LGA borders Batsari, Kaita, Katsina, Batagarawa, and Zurmi local government areas of Zamfara State.
Data collated by The ICIR showed that between January and October 2023, 7,046 people were killed in violent attacks across Nigeria.
The ICIR gathered the data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), a data bureau collecting real-time data on the locations, dates, actors, fatalities, and types of all reported violence and protest events worldwide.
A reporter with the ICIR
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