In a devastating outbreak of violence, at least 160 Christians were targeted and killed during what was described as a “very terrifying Christmas” in Plateau State, north-central Nigeria.
The affected area saw a surge in violence over the Christmas Eve weekend, leading to a death toll that shocked communities and the country as a whole.
Gunmen launched coordinated attacks in as many as 20 villages on the eve of December 24, carrying out attacks that continued unabated into the next day. The Guardian reported.
The suspected attacker, nomadic herdsmen, killed at least 140 people using guns and machetes. According to According to the Punch newspaper, more than 10,000 people have been displaced by the attacks.
The local media reported:
On Sunday, armed men stormed the villages of Ndun, Ngyong, Murfet, Makundary, Tamiso, Chiang, Tahore, Gawarba, Dares, Meyenga, Darwat and Butura Kampani in the Barkin Ladi, Mangu and Bokkos areas of the State, burning houses and shooting residents.
On Tuesday, Chairman of Community Peace Observers in Bokkos Local Government Area, Mallai, in an interview with The PUNCH said: “More than 150 people were killed in the attacks. In the town of Bokkos alone, more than 10,000 people are sheltering in churches, mosques, schools and private residences.
“Viewer’s discretion advised: The following content contains graphic and potentially distressing material. Viewer discretion is strongly recommended.
BREAKING: At least 140 Christians have been massacred in two days by Islamist terrorists in Plateau State, north-central Nigeria. There are more than 300 injured.
Where is the international outrage? Why is no one demonstrating in the streets? pic.twitter.com/TU29tS7kNr
– I meme therefore I am (@ImMeme0) December 26, 2023
GENOCIDE: Muslims massacre 160 fellow Christians preparing for Church Christmas programs in Nigeria
Islam is incompatible with humanity.
Where are the protests? The demos? The mediatization ?? Global outrage? Why is Islamic massacre respected and sanctioned?
“To show… pic.twitter.com/IFqJggcCQA
-Pamela Geller (@PamelaGeller) December 26, 2023
CHRISTMAS MASSACRE IN NIGERIA:
The death toll stands at 140 and continues to rise after a series of coordinated attacks by jihadist forces on the Plateau.
They attacked 20 Christian communities in central Nigeria, attacking and burning homes while civilians slept. 300 are injured and 221 homes… pic.twitter.com/IVWvSe3a2K
– End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) December 26, 2023
WATCH:
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State described attacks on more than 20 communities on Saturday and Sunday as “barbaric, brutal and unjustified” in a broadcast on local television channels. He reported that during these assaults, the majority of houses in the affected areas were destroyed by fire.
“It has indeed been a very bloody Christmas for us. We had to celebrate with heavy hearts. Just when people had finished preparing for Christmas celebrations, unprovoked attacks were launched on several of our communities,” Governor Mutfwan said.
“As I speak to you, in Mangun local government alone, we have buried at least 15 people. So far this morning, in the municipality of Bokkos, we have counted no less than 100 corpses. I still have to take stock of Barki-Ladi. Most of the affected communities in Barki-Ladi share a border with Bokkos local government. ”
“Under the last regime, the feeling among the people of Plateau State, especially among the victims of these terrorist attacks, is that it seems that the terrorists received official support from the government to be able to terrorize them because few or nothing was done to repel these attacks.
“I can tell you these schools are busy, it didn’t start now, some of these schools have been busy over the last three, four, five years.
“The children in these schools were therefore unable to go to school. They have to move. We even have primary health care centers abandoned because of these terrorists, which endangers our health system; What do we have to do? I think that’s where the president needs to step in,” he added.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu condemned the brutal attack.
“I strongly condemn the heinous and brutal attacks in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi local government areas of Plateau State which tragically resulted in the loss of many lives.
I have ordered our security agencies to immediately intervene, scour every part of the area and apprehend the culprits responsible for these atrocities.
Furthermore, I ordered the immediate mobilization of relief resources for the surviving victims of these primitive and cruel attacks, as well as the provision of medical care to the injured.
While extending my condolences to the government and people of Plateau State, I assure all Nigerians that the envoys of death, pain and sorrow responsible for these acts will not escape justice.
I strongly condemn the heinous and brutal attacks in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi local government areas of Plateau State which tragically resulted in the loss of many lives.
I ordered our security agencies to intervene immediately, scour every part of the area, and…
– Bola Ahmed Tinubu (@officialABAT) December 26, 2023
Although no group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, suspicion has focused on Fulani Muslim herdsmen. They have previously been involved in similar large-scale attacks in the northwest and central regions.
This Muslim tribe targets Christian communities to seize their land and resources, deepening the sectarian divide between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country.
