The Plateau State Police Command has reported a series of deadly attacks on some communities in Barkin Ladi and Bokkos local government areas on Christmas Eve, resulting in the tragic loss of 96 lives.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Alfred Alabo, disclosed in a press statement that 12 villages were attacked in Bokkos LGA, with 221 houses, 27 motorcycles, and eight motor vehicles set ablaze. Three villages in Barkin-Ladi LGA, namely NTV, Hurum, and Darawat, were also affected.
“The Commissioner of Police Plateau State Command, CP Okoro J. Alawari, expresses grief over the deadly attacks carried out by some yet to be identified assailants on the 24/12/2023 at odd hours of the night,” Alabo stated.
According to the report, the attacks began around 22:00 hours on December 24th, 2023, targeting 12 villages in Bokkos LGA including Ndun, Ngyong, Murfet, Makundary, Tamiso, Chiang, Tahore, Gawarba, Dares, Meyenga, Darwat, and Butura Kampani village. Shortly after, at about 22:45 hours, the three villages in Barkin-Ladi LGA were also attacked.
In response to the escalating violence, the Commissioner of Police has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations to relocate to Bokkos LGA. A high-power delegation of well-armed operational forces has also been deployed to the troubled areas to prevent further attacks and assess the level of damages.
Preliminary findings from the assessment revealed that over seventy-nine persons were killed in Bokkos LGA, while seventeen deaths were recorded in Barkin-ladi LGA.
The Commissioner of Police expressed his deepest sympathies to the families of those who lost their loved ones in the gruesome attack. He assured that the investigation and monitoring of the incidents are ongoing, and further developments will be communicated soon.
