DAYS after the deadly Christmas Day attacks on Bokkos, yet another community came under attack in the same Local Government on Thursday night.
The Yuletide incident has been regarded as the worst outbreak of violence in Plateau since May and has left more than 190 people dead and hundreds injured.
News Point Nigeria had earlier reported that the gunmen had sent a letter of an imminent attack to the Pushit community in the Mangu Local Government Area of the state.
When asked about the impending attack on the Pushit community yesterday, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Alabo Alfred, told this newspaper that the command was aware of the threat.’’We have intelligence, but we are working on it “the PPRO assured.
Reacting to last night’s attack, Transition Committee Chairman of Bokkos, Monday Kassah disclosed that gunmen attacked the community at night burning and destroying homes.
Kassah explained that no death was recorded due to the timely intervention of security personnel.
While giving an update on the Christmas Day attack, the committee chairman explained the number of casualties still stands at 195, further confirming that rescue operations were ongoing to find missing persons
Of the number, 148 were killed in Bokkos Local Government Area, 19 in Mangu Local Government Area, and 27 in Barkin Ladi. 1,290 houses were burnt down in Bokkos council, one house was razed in Mangu LGA and that of Barkin Ladi was yet to be ascertained at press time.
The Christmas Day attacks which started in the Bokkos area spilled into neighbouring Barkin Ladi where 30 people were found dead, according to local chairman Danjuma Dakil.
Plateau State governor Caleb Mutfwang condemned the violence, calling it “barbaric, brutal and unjustified”.
“The government will take proactive measures to curb ongoing attacks against innocent civilians,” said Gyang Bere, the governor’s spokesperson.
Gunfire could still be heard on late Monday afternoon, according to a source from the region,
A resident of Mushu village said people were sleeping when shots rang out.
“We were scared because we weren’t expecting an attack. People hid, but the assailants captured many of us, some were killed, others wounded,” he told this newspaper.