By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Over 20 villages in plateau state have been reportedly submerged as the death toll from the heavily armed suspected terrorists attacked on the area on Christmas Eve hits 113 massacred.
Transition Committee Chairman of Bokkos LGA of Plateau State, Monday Kassah, who confirmed the report said that 113 death bodies have so far been recovered in the attacks on the villages.
It was earlier reported that about 16 and 70 persons were killed in Mushu village in Bokkos LGA.
The spokesperson for Operation Safe Haven, Captain Oya James, also confirmed the incident to journalists, saying the attack took place on Saturday night when the residents of the community were asleep.
“Following the attack, security personnel were deployed to avert any possible breakdown of law and order in the area. There was an uprising after the incident but the situation has been brought under control,” James had said.
Similarly, an angry unnamed father allegedly attempted beating daughter to death for using his phone to call her boyfriend
While giving the update on the attack on Monday, he confirmed to journalists that 113 bodies were recovered from the attacks.
He added, “The attacks were well coordinated; not fewer than 20 different communities were attacked by the bandits.
“As I am talking to you, we have recovered 113 dead bodies from those communities. We have recovered more than 300 injured; some were taken to hospitals in Jos and some to a hospital in Barkin Ladi while others have been taken to hospitals in Bokkos.
“The security personnel have been doing their best; the difficult terrain reaching those communities made the security not to reach there on time to prevent those attacks.”
The violence has also reportedly spread to communities in Barikin LGA where houses were burnt.
Kasa said the casualty figure was increasing and that corpses were still being recovered by security agents, vigilantes and hunters combing the forest for missing persons.
The council boss noted that several houses were burnt by the assailants, who also went away with farm produce belonging to the residents.
Meanwhile, Governor Caleb Mutfwang condemned the attack, describing the it as barbaric, brutal and uncalled for.
A statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bare, on Sunday said the governor directed security agencies to promptly apprehend the perpetrators responsible for the heinous act and ensure they face the full wrath of the law.
Bare said the governor expressed deep concern over the incident, urging communities to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to security forces for immediate action.
The statement added, “On the importance of collective collaboration among rural communities, the governor assured that proactive measures would be taken by the government to curb the ongoing attacks on innocent citizens.
He sympathized with affected families and urged them to find solace in God as the government diligently works to end the prolonged violence”. Additional information from daily trust.
