The Police Command in Plateau has confirmed the killing of ninety-six persons in some remote villages of Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State.
DSP Alfred Alabo, the command spokesman, confirmed the incident to Swift Reporters on Tuesday in Jos.
Alabo said the incident, which occurred on Sunday night, had generated tension in the community, thereby prompting the police to deploy armed personnel in the area to avert a breakdown of law and order.
The statement read, “The Commissioner of Police Plateau State Command, CP Okoro J. Alawari, psc expresses grieve 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 24/12/2023 at odd hours of the night and sympathizes with the families of those who lost their loved ones in the gruesome attack.
“On the 24/12/2023 at 2200hrs the following twelve (12) villages in Bokkos LGA were attacked; Ndun, Ngyong, Murfet, Makundary, Tamiso, Chiang, Tahore, Gawarba, Dares, Meyenga, Darwat and Butura Kampani village.
“Similarly, on 24/12/2023 at about 2245hrs, three (3) villages in Barkin-Ladi LGA namely; NTV, Hurum, and Darawat were also attacked.
“To prevent further carnage, the Commissioner of Police has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge Operations (DC DOPs) to relocate to Bokkos LGA and also deployed a high-power delegation of well-armed operational forces to the troubled areas to prevent further attacks and also assess the level of damages in the affected areas.
“Findings from the assessment of the ugly incidents in Bokkos LGA revealed that the total number of villages attacked is Twelve (12), Two Hundred and twenty-one (221) houses were set ablaze, Twenty- seven (27) motorcycles were burnt, Eight (8) motor-vehicles were burnt down and over Seventy -nine (79) persons were killed. while Seventeen deaths were recorded in Barkin-Ladi LGA.
“Investigation and monitoring of the incidents is still on. Further development will be communicated soon.