The recent attacks by the bandits in Plateau
State where no fewer than 145 persons are said to have been killed on 23
villages of the State have given the impression that the President Bola Tinubu
administration might face a worse security challenge in the country than his
predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari faced over taming the bandits.
It is possible that the bandits must have
discovered a loophole or lapses in the way security of lives and property is
managed in Plateau State with the conclusion that it would be business as
usual. These renewed attacks on the people of that State leave a big question
mark on the security managers of that part of the country. It is quite
questionable why the activities of the bandits generally are beyond the control
of the Federal Government, the Federal Might.
The assailants, in the recent attacks,
reportedly killed 113 persons in 20 villages in Bokkos Local Government Area
and 32 in three villages in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.
It was gathered that the villages were
attacked from Saturday night to the early hours of Monday.
The attacks were also said to have left
hundreds of people injured and property destroyed.
Areas affected included Ruku, Hurum, Darwat,
Mai Yanga Sabo and NTV villages in the Gashish and Ropp districts.
The Transition Committee Chairman of Bokkos
Local Government Area, Monday Kassah, confirmed the incident to reporters
yesterday.
When contacted for reaction, the spokesman
for the state police command, Alabo Alfred, did not respond to text messages
sent to him by our correspondent.
But Captain Oya James, spokesperson for
Operation Safe Haven, a security taskforce maintaining peace in the state,
confirmed the attacks to Daily Trust yesterday.
He, however, said he could not confirm the
casualty figures at the moment, but said the situation had been brought under
control.
“For now, the situation has been brought
under control. More reinforcement has been deployed in the affected
communities. But I don’t have the figure of casualty at the moment,” James told
one of our Correspondents.
A humanitarian worker who spoke in confidence
said they counted over 180 dead bodies from the attacks.
We’ve recovered 113 bodies – Council
chair
The Transition Committee Chairman of Bokkos
LGA, Kassah, told journalists yesterday that 113 bodies were recovered from the
attacks.
“The attacks were well coordinated; no fewer
than 20 different communities were attacked by the bandits.
“As I am talking to you, we have recovered
113 dead bodies from those communities. We have recovered more than three
hundred injured; some were taken to hospitals in Jos, some to hospitals in
Barkin Ladi and others have been taken to hospitals in Bokkos.
“The security personnel have been doing their
best, the difficult terrain reaching those communities has made the security
not reaching there on time to prevent those communities,” Kassah said.
The chairman of Barikin LGA, Danuma Dakil,
who also spoke to Daily Trust yesterday, said the attackers killed 32 persons
and burnt many houses in three villages in his local government area.
Dakil further stated that the search for more
bodies was ongoing.
Attacks barbaric – Gov
Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang described
the attacks as barbaric, brutal and uncalled for.
According to a statement by his Director of
Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, the governor directed security agencies
to promptly apprehend the attackers and ensure they face the full force of the
law.
The governor, who expressed deep concern over
the incident, urged communities across the state to remain vigilant and report
any suspicious activities to security forces for immediate action.
He questioned “The impunity of the attackers
who inflicted harm on communities, destroyed property and evaded justice.”
The governor assured that proactive measures
would be taken to curb attacks on innocent citizens.
He sympathized with affected families, and
urged them to find solace in God as the government diligently works to end the
“prolonged violence.”
Residents narrate ordeals
An indigene of Darwat community, Friday
Maska, told our correspondent that his mother and younger brother were injured
in the attack.
Maska said his mother, Rebecca Maska, was
pursued into the bush by the attackers and shot, but was lucky to survive.
He said his mother bled for about three hours
before help came her way; while his brother, Nanpan Maska, had his hand cut off
and head macheted.
He said both his mother and younger brother
were rushed to the General Hospital in Barkin Ladi, but were later referred to
Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH).
Maska said the assailants operated from 6pm
to 11pm.
The Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM),
under the leadership of Solomon Dalyop Mwantiri Esq, condemned the attack,
describing it as an act of terrorism.
The association, in a statement, by its
National Publicity Secretary, Rwang Tengwong, said the attack has already led
to the complete displacement of thousands of persons.
Tengwong said the attack did not only
demonstrate a blatant disregard for human life, but also sought to undermine
the peace and unity that are at the core of their values.
He called on the international community to
add its voice to the crisis on the Plateau, which has been going on for years.
