148 killed in 25 Plateau communities, LG chairman tells Shettima

148 killed in 25 Plateau communities, LG chairman tells Shettima

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Wednesday heard how gunmen who attacked Plateau communities on Christmas Eve killed 148 persons in Bokkos Local Government Area alone.

Shettima was in Bokkos on Wednesday following the attacks which spread across three local government areas of the state including Barkin Ladi and Mangu.

He was accompanied by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, among others.

Addressing the delegation at the Bokkos Township Stadium filled with displaced persons, the Chairman of Bokkos Local Government Area, Monday Kassam, said “It is with deep feelings in my heart that I stand now to recount a little of the ordeal.

“In Mangur village, 53 were killed: Mbar 26; Tangur four; Bokkos Central 31; Butura 33; Mushere one.

“In all, 148 innocent Bokkos villagers were massacred unprovoked in their cold blood. 25  communities were affected, and 1,290 homes were burnt down. 81 vehicles, 187 motorcycles, 267 water pumps were also burnt while 88 persons are receiving treatments of serious injuries.”

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The council chairman added that, from the number of casualties and other intelligence, the attackers were well coordinated because all 25 Communities were attacked simultaneously.

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, said he had briefed President Bola Tinubu on the attacks and killings in the state.

He noted that the attacks and killings were unprovoked and uncalled for, pointing out that they were not done by ghosts but by human beings.

Yesterday, when I was speaking, I said during the last Federal Government, there was lack of political will to deal with this issue.

“I never accused the present government of lack of political will. And today, the visit of the Vice President is a demonstration of the political will of the present government to deal with the situation.

“I have discussed at length with Mr President, and there are many decisions we have agreed and I will not rest until these decisions are implemented,” Mutfwang said.

The Vice President, who expressed sadness over the killings, described the attacks as “indescribable.”

He said the Federal Government, led by President Bola Tinubu, was deeply troubled by the incident, which had shattered the joy of Christmas.

He commiserated with the people, promising that the federal government would do everything possible to stop further terror attacks and killings in the state.

He noted that what happened to the people of the state affected other Nigerians, saying, “Our hearts bleed alongside our dear brothers and sisters in Bokkos, Barkin Ladi and all over Plateau State.”

Shettima, who reminded the people that Tinubu came to power to address the challenges facing the country, assured them that the decade-old crisis in the state would not persist under their watch.

“We will harness all the resources to bring those responsible to justice. We will not quit until we are able to prevent the reoccurrence of this heinous acts,” the Vice President added.