Armed groups carried out a series of attacks on villages in central Nigeria, resulting in the deaths of at least 160 people
According to Kassah, military groups known as "bandits" set fire to homes and carried out "well-coordinated" operations in "not fewer than 20 different communities."
Armed groups carried out a series of attacks on villages in central Nigeria, resulting in the deaths of at least 160 people, according to local government officials on Monday. This toll represents a significant increase from the initial figure reported by the army, which indicated 16 deaths. The attacks, attributed to military gangs locally referred to as "bandits," were described as "well-coordinated" and targeted over 20 different communities, resulting in the burning of houses. The head of the local government in Bokkos, Plateau State, reported 113 confirmed deaths with more than 300 wounded individuals transferred to hospitals in Bokkos, Jos, and Barkin Ladi. The local Red Cross provided a provisional toll of 104 deaths in 18 villages in the Bokkos region, while at least 50 people were reported dead in several villages in the Barkin Ladi area.
A member of the state parliament condemned the attacks, urging swift action by security forces. The violence, which originated in the Bokkos area, spilled into neighboring Barkin Ladi, where 30 people were found dead. Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang condemned the violence as "barbaric, brutal, and unjustified," promising proactive measures to curb ongoing attacks against civilians.
Gunfire continued to be heard on Monday afternoon in the region, which lies on the dividing line between Nigeria's predominantly Muslim north and mainly Christian south. A resident described the unexpected attack, with people hiding, some captured, killed, or wounded.
Amnesty International criticized the Nigerian government for failing to end frequent deadly attacks on rural communities in Plateau state. The northwest and central regions of Nigeria have long faced threats from bandit militias operating in forests, raiding villages for looting and kidnapping residents. Competition for natural resources and social tensions between nomadic herders and farmers have also contributed to violence. Additionally, a jihadist conflict in northeastern Nigeria, involving groups like Boko Haram, has caused significant casualties and displacements.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, elected in February, has pledged to attract more investment to address Nigeria's persistent security challenges.
