295 Killed In Plateau Genocide: ALGON, PLHA Sympathizes With Families Of Victims, Demand Arrest, Prosecution Of Identified Attackers
The Oasis Reporters
December 30, 2023
By Asile Abel, Jos
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Plateau State have released statistics of the death toll of persons killed in unprovoked attacks in Bokkos, Barkin Ladi and Mangu Local Government Areas of Plateau State and said it was devastating, heinous and uncalled for as they deeply consoled with survivors, families of victims, the Federal, State and the 17 Local Governments of the State.
The CSOs’ Chairman, Rev Chris Damcher gave the death toll as 295 deaths with lots of property worth billions of naira destroyed by the attackers.
In the words of the CSOs Chairman, “From on the spot assessment as at now, our records are that thirty (30) communities were attacked, two hundred and ninety five (295) persons dead, ninety- eight (98) injured and hospitalised, one thousand three hundred houses burnt(1,300), two hundred vehicles totally burnt, ” Rev Damcher revealed.
The CSOs’ Chairman stated this during a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Council.
The civil society organizations in Plateau State lamented that “the lands of 64 communities, health centres, schools and farmlands have been taken over and there is no government and traditional institutions fighting or promoting the return of such lands and persons in the IDPs to their ancestral lands and homes while the grabbers and terrorists are moving around freely and molesting citizens.”
On its part, the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Plateau State Chapter has also sympathized with the families of the victims, the Governor, the Government and people of Plateau State over the unprovoked attacks.
The Plateau State ALGON Chairman who is also the Transition Implementation Committee Chairman of Wase LGC, Hon Hamisu Mohammed Anani, also in a swift reaction in a press conference condemned the unprovoked and heinous attacks.
ALGON pledged to support the Government in restoring peace in the affected Local Government Areas, commended the State and the Federal Government for the action already taken to calm the situation and bring healing, relief and succour to the affected.
In the words of the Plateau State ALGON Chairman, he hinted that the association “acknowledges President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting the Nigerian Army in maintaining security through the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja.
“We ALGON applaud the untiring efforts of the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang for his prompt response to action and the repeated calls on security agencies to tackle the situation.”
Meanwhile, stakeholders in Plateau State have continued the calls on security agencies for the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators.
It was gathered that isolated attacks have continued in some parts of Bokkos, Barkin-Ladi and Mangu Local Government Areas of Plateau State.
In the same vein, the Plateau State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt Hon Gabriel Kudangbena Dewan has condemned the recent killings and displacements of the constituents of Bokkos, Barkin-Ladi and parts of Mangu Local Government Areas.
During a world press conference on Friday 29th December, 2023 at his official residence in Rayfield, Jos flanked by other members denounced the activities of terrorists who chose the festive period of Christmas to desecrate the land.
Dewan called on the security agencies to put a stop to the killings in Plateau State, while the house will do everything humanly possible to provide laws that will protect the lives and properties of citizens.
House of Assembly Speaker, Kudangbena Dewan also hinted that the house had to break their recess at this crucial time to address the press on the ugly situation that took the lives of 295 constituents in Bokkos, Barkin-Ladi and Mangu Local Government Areas.
The house resolutions amongst many others called on the Federal and Plateau State Governments through the National Emergency Management Agency and the Plateau State Emergency Management Agency as a matter of urgency to immediately provide relief materials and succour to affected communities.
The Plateau State House of Assembly also called on MDAs to ensure speedy recovery of all injured children, women and men in the hospitals.The House also called for calm in the state as the Government is doing everything possible to bring the situation under control and move the state forward.
The Plateau State House of Assembly members commended and applauded the prompt action of Governor Caleb Mutfwang and the Renewed Hope Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for directing the Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead a Federal Government delegation including the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Senators and others to visit the affected communities and report back for further interventions and assistance.
The Plateau State House of Assembly resolved that thorough investigation be carried out and all those involved in the attacks be fished out and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others since some names of attackers have been mentioned by the injured.
The well attended world press conference by the Plateau State House of Assembly put to rest agitation for the house to reconvene because of the attacks as all members of the 10th Plateau State House of Assembly were present and had their names on the press statement.
The Northern Governors Forum and the Inspector General of Police have also condemned the genocide on the Plateau and promised the deployment of more policemen and equipment to help stop a recurrence.
