In a heartbreaking development, a recent report has revealed that 34 children, ranging from 8 months to 14 years old, fell victim to the Christmas Eve Massacre that unfolded in parts of Plateau state. The affected areas include Bokkos and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas.
The attacks, perpetrated by unidentified individuals on the eve of Christmas, December 24, 2023, resulted in a devastating toll. Over 150 individuals lost their lives, numerous houses were destroyed, and properties worth billions were reduced to ruins.
According to a report from the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, North Central, Mrs. Abiodun Essiet, the brutal carnage impacted 31 villages, leading to a confirmed death toll of 161.
The attacks commenced on December 23, 2023, at the village named Kambang-Peli, claiming 16 lives. The major assault occurred on December 24, where approximately 25 villages were simultaneously targeted by terrorists, with others attacked in the aftermath.
The report detailed the extensive damage, including the burning and destruction of houses, churches, food barns, cars, motorcycles, water pumps, and farmlands. Livestocks were looted, exacerbating the dire situation.
In addition to the harrowing impact on infrastructure, the report underscored the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the area. Around 15,000 individuals have been displaced, seeking shelter, with about 5,000 people accommodated in 14 different IDP shelters in Bokkos LGA.
Our correspondent, visiting the attacked communities, observed that these once-vibrant villages now stand as ghost towns, with only livestock left behind. Fear of impending attacks has also led residents in neighboring villages, untouched by the violence, to abandon their homes.
While there have been commendable relief efforts with various donations to IDP camps, the report highlighted the pressing need for comprehensive plans to resettle the displaced communities and rebuild their lives in their ancestral homes
