The Plateau State Police Command, on Tuesday, revealed that gunmen unleashed chaos on Christmas Eve, resulting in the tragic death of 86 individuals and the incineration of 221 homes in Plateau State.
The State Commissioner of Police, Okoro Alawari, disclosed this in a statement released by the command’s spokesperson, Alfred Alabo.
Alawari further noted that the assailants targeted 15 communities in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas, leaving a trail of destruction that included the burning of eight vehicles.
The statement read, “The Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command, CP Okoro Alawari expresses grief over the deadly attacks that took place in some remote villages of Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State carried out by some yet-to-identified assailants on the December 24, 2023 at odd hours of the night, and sympathises with the families of those who lost their loved ones in the gruesome attack.
“On December 24, 2023, at 2200hrs, the following 12 villages in Bokkos LGA were attacked; Ndun, Ngyong, Murfet, Makundary, Tamiso, Chiang, Tahore, Gawarba, Dares, Meyenga, Darwat and Butura Kampani.
“Similarly, on December 24, 2023, at about 2245hrs, three villages in Barkin-Ladi LGA namely; NTV, Hurum and Darawat were also attacked.”
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In order to avert additional violence, the Commissioner of Police issued instructions for the Deputy Commissioner of Police overseeing Operations to move to Bokkos LGA.
Moreover, a contingent of operational forces was dispatched to the strife-ridden zones to thwart further assaults and evaluate the extent of damage in the affected areas.
“Findings from the assessment of the ugly incidents in Bokkos LGA revealed that the total number of villages attacked is 12; 221 houses were set ablaze, 27 motorcycles were burnt, eight motor vehicles were burnt down and over 79 persons were killed while 17 deaths were recorded in Barkin-ladi LGA.
“Investigation and monitoring of the incidents are still on. Further development will be communicated soon,” the statement added.
(Punch)