The death toll in the latest coordinated attacks on the Plateau has risen to over 100, according to the state governor, Caleb Mutfwang.
The Governor made this known on a national television breakfast show on Tuesday, which was monitored by our Reporter.
He said the attacks were unprovoked and charged security agents to go after the perpetrators of the heinous act and unravel the sponsors of the “carnage” and their foot-soldiers.
In his words: “Just when we had finished preparations for Christmas, unprovoked attacks were unleashed on our communities.”
The attacks, described as highly coordinated, swept at least 15 communities in the Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas of the state on Christmas eve.
Several houses were set ablaze by the attackers on the night. They also looted farm produce and destroyed properties just as they engaged in wanton killing of the residents.
“As I am talking to you, in Mangu Local Government alone, we buried 15 people. As at this morning, in Bokkos, we are counting over 100 corpses. Not to talk of that of Barkin-Ladi.”
The governor said the attacks were “unprecedented and monumental.” He noted that though the assailants intended to break the spirit of the people and pull down the two local governments, the spirit of the people on the Plateau remained undaunted.
Mutfwang, however, said the response time by security agents, especially the men of the Nigerian Army can be better.
The governor also said the attacks were unconnected to land disputes between aboriginal dwellers and marauding terrorists. He warned that the people attacked could defend themselves but it might get to a time that the people might not be able to restrain themselves from defending themselves and their lands against the assailants.
