Plateau communities continue to bear the brunt of terror attacks, with corpses still scattered across the area 12 days later.
The communities in Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, and Mangu Local Government Areas remain abandoned, following the Christmas Eve attacks by gunmen that resulted in over 150 deaths, according to reports from NewsNow.
NewsNow revealed that the attacks, which have been ongoing in Plateau State, escalated on Christmas Eve when gunmen targeted over 25 communities, resulting in the deaths of over 150 individuals.
In addition to the loss of lives, the gunmen also set numerous houses ablaze and caused destruction amounting to millions of naira, leading to the displacement of over 10,000 people.
Some of the affected communities include Mangur village, Mbar, Tangur, Bokkos Central, Butura, and Mushere.
A visit to the affected communities, such as Matellem village, Dung village, Yelwa village, and Ngyong, revealed that these areas were completely deserted, with no visible security presence.
For instance, at Mbar community, charred remains of residents were found, while a pastor and his family were among those killed during the attack.
Gideon ParaMallam, a peace advocate, expressed concern over the level of devastation in the communities and personally visited internally displaced persons in various locations, providing them with relief materials.
ParaMallam emphasized the need for peace and justice in the affected communities, discrediting the notion that the violence was a result of internal conflict among the Bokkos people.
Additionally, the burnt palace of the paramount ruler of Bokkos was observed, with soldiers guarding the area after protesting women set it on fire, believing that the ruler had failed to protect the community.
Kefas Mallai, Chairman of Community Peace Observers in Bokkos LGA, denounced the military’s handling of the situation and highlighted the tension in the area.
To address the escalating crisis, a new sector commander, Lt Col Isaac Indiorhwer, was deployed to Bokkos with the assurance of restoring peace in the troubled communities, while dismissing claims of troop abandonment.