Central Nigeria Reels After Deadly Weekend Attacks Leave Over 160 Dead

Plateau State Under Attack: Villages Targeted in Deadly Weekend Spree

Central Nigeria has been shaken by a series of brutal attacks that took place over the weekend, leaving at least 160 people dead. Armed groups, described as “bandits” by locals, launched coordinated assaults on “no less than 20 villages” between Saturday evening and Monday morning, according to the head of the Bokkos governing council, Monday Kassah.

The attacks, concentrated in the Bokkos and Barkin Ladi constituencies, have exposed deep-seated religious and ethnic tensions that have long plagued the region. Kassah reported discovering “at least 113 bodies” in Bokkos alone, significantly higher than the initial death toll of 16 released by the army on Sunday.

Mounting Casualties and Fear Gripping the Region

The violence has also left hundreds injured, with over 300 people receiving treatment in hospitals across Bokkos, Jos, and Barkin Ladi. Local parliament member Dickson Chollom confirmed the killing of at least 50 people in four villages within his Barkin Ladi constituency, adding to the grim total.

The ongoing attacks have instilled fear and desperation among residents, many of whom have witnessed loved ones killed or injured. “We will not succumb to the methods of these merchants of death; we are united in our desire for peace and justice,” Chollom declared to the news agency.

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Condemnation and Calls for Action

Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang condemned the attacks as “barbaric, brutal, and unjustified,” while his spokesperson, Gyang Bere, promised “proactive measures” to prevent further violence. However, concerns remain about the government’s effectiveness in tackling the root causes of the conflict and protecting innocent lives.

Amnesty International, a human rights organization, criticized the Nigerian authorities’ “consistent failure” to address the frequent attacks in Plateau State. The violence adds to the ongoing security challenges faced by residents in northwestern and central Nigeria, who are constantly threatened by criminal gangs and jihadist groups.