Outrage has continued to trail the massacre of over 100 persons killed during the invasion of armed men in 12 communities in Bokkos local government area of Plateau State.
Ipledge2nigeria.net gathered that 17 others were killed in Barkin Ladi LGA where three villages were attacked. The figures are for those accounted for as many others are still missing and yet to be accounted for.
The attacks which were coordinated from December 23 were carried out by persons who survivors say are Fulani herders, apart from the killing of over 100 persons in the communities affected, property worth millions of naira has also been destroyed and hundreds of persons displaced.
Reacting to the incident, Former Senate president Bukola Saraki said: “The news of over 100 innocent lives brutally cut short, along with numerous others injured in Christmas Eve attacks perpetrated by marauding gunmen across multiple communities in Plateau State, has left me heartbroken and outraged.
The audacity of the assailants and the sheer scale of the carnage are reminders of the deep-seated challenges that continue to plague our nation and the urgent need for decisive action to address the root causes of these conflicts.
“I urge the Federal Government to launch an immediate and thorough investigation into this heinous act. No stone must be left unturned, and no perpetrator is allowed to go free. All the affected communities should receive justice. All well-meaning Nigerians want answers.”
“I extend my deepest condolences to the affected communities and families of those who have lost loved ones in this senseless tragedy. I pray for speedy recovery and healing, both physically and emotionally, for the injured”, he noted.
Asking a rhetorical question popular Human Rights activist, Aisha Yesufu through her X handle asked: “Don’t the lives of people in Plateau State matter?”
Lamenting Chidi Odinkalu on his x handle, said: “The situation in Plateau State, north-central #Nigeria, is genocidal – 112 killed in the latest #ChristmasEveMassacre. Don’t bet on the government of the day noticing anything. By the way, it looks like every Xmas season these massacres are re-enacted….?
Writing via his X handle, Kalu Aja states: “The food basket of Nigeria is the Middle Belt, when farmers are displaced and killed, food output falls and inflation rises, this is a national security issue, and this is genocide.”
Every Christmas Eve, these killings happen, there is anger, and then it’s on to the next Christmas slaughter.
According to Kalu Aja, “Technology can provide some succour to this for instance;
1. Early warning SMS text sent out to connected devices. Just like the Tsunami warning text, this can at least alert villagers and the security services.
2. Amateur drones with infrared to offer 24/7 coverage of wide areas. Broadcast these images on social media. This is not hard to do
The people of the Benue and Plateau have a vibrant diaspora and billionaires who can fund this.
Waiting for the government to protect you will mean you all die, I am quoting Gen TY Danjuma himself.
“Anger is not a strategy, commission a study group to develop a private solution to this. To all that have lost, please accept my deepest sympathies, words can’t heal but I grieve with you.”
Speaking on the development, FS Yulsuf through his X handle said:
“The noise is enough! What is the line of action on this Plateau….Middle belt killings!??? Is the government considering a Civilian Joint Task Force or what is the plan?
We can’t continue with a system that is not allowing Plateau people to protect themselves while the government is also not meeting up to the standard to offer protection for the people. The safety of these people can no longer be left to fate.
A decisive action must be taken now. And it must involve the locals because they are the ones who can give the most appropriate intel most times.
There will definitely be more attacks, therefore, some defense measures need to be in place.”
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