According to local authorities, 52 people have died as a result of the recent attacks in Plateau State’s Bokkos Local Government Area.
As the search and rescue team continued to comb the bushes for missing people, 40 more bodies were recovered on Wednesday and Thursday night.
Farmasum Fuddang, the chairman of the Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC) Vanguard, told Channels Television that five more minors were burned to ashes in Hurti village on Thursday, while 31 others were given mass burials. One person was killed in Daffo village, four in Manguna village, and eleven more in Ruwi village.
Residents in the Hurti and Mbar villages are awaiting the results of the ongoing search and rescue efforts for missing persons, according to the Cultural Group Vanguard.
While a coordinated security response is being conducted in the impacted areas, the Plateau State Government has denounced the attacks and urged people to remain calm.
Joyce Ramnap, the state commissioner for information and communication, voiced her concern about the resurgence of attacks in a statement on Friday.
She characterized the regrettable event as a reversal of the progress made by local government security agencies in upholding law and order.
“Security agencies have deployed and dominated these areas to ensure normalcy returns at the shortest possible time,” she stated.
“Additionally, important arrests have been made by the security agencies and this will hopefully help in stemming the tide of this ugly situation.”
Additionally, Ramnap cautioned Plateau citizens against breaking the law because the state government has taken proactive steps to improve intelligence collection, surveillance, and quick response systems in coordination with security personnel.
Additionally, since the government is dedicated to maintaining law and order and will not back down in its pursuit of justice against those who aim to destabilize the communities, religious, traditional, and community leaders have been urged to emphasize the message of peace, unity, and lawful engagement.
Additionally, residents were urged to uphold the law, assist with security initiatives, and report security concerns through the proper channels.
Since a violent attack on a predominantly Christian village during Christmas 2023 celebrations killed about 200 people, tensions in the state have skyrocketed.
About 40 people were killed and houses were set on fire in the town of Wase in May of last year.
