Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has arrived in Jos, the Plateau State capital, over the massacre of over 200 residents in 15 communities by suspected Fulani herdsmen on Christmas Eve.
The arrival of police chief in Jos on Friday followed the killing of the residents where the death toll had risen to over 200 in the coordinated attacks by suspected armed herders.
IGP Egbetokun is expected to meet with key stakeholders including the governor.
He was reported to have ordered deployment of tactical teams, equipment and the relocation of AIG Zone 4 to Plateau State with immediate effect.
adeleke reporter reported on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 that the Plateau State Police Command confirmed the attack, saying that no fewer than 86 persons had been killed with 221 houses completely burnt down during the attack by the gunmen.
The command’s spokesman, Alfred Alabo, had in a statement explained that the attacks were carried out by the assailants in 15 communities of Bokkos and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of the state.
Alabo said, “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.”
“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,” he said.
Meanwhile, the killing has elicited reactions across the world, as the attacks had been described as ethnic cleansing.
Nigerian president, Bola Tinubu, has since directed the security agencies go after the criminals and their sponsors with a view to bringing them to justice.
Credit Sahara reporters
