At least 96 Nigerians were killed in a Christmas Eve rampage in Plateau State.
12/26/2023 Nigeria (International Christian Concern) Assailants went on a rampage on Christmas Eve in Plateau State, Nigeria, killing at least 96 people in 15 communities, according to police. Some media estimates place the number of deaths at 140.
Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Okoro Alawari, stated on Tuesday that 96 people were killed in two of the 17 local government areas (LGAs)—Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi—and 221 houses were burned.
“The Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command, CP Okoro Alawari, expresses grief over the deadly attacks that took place on December 24, 2023, at odd hours of the night in some remote villages of Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State, and sympathizes with the families of those who lost their loved ones in the gruesome attack,” Alwari said in the statement.
“On December 24, 2023, at 2200 hrs, the following 12 villages in Bokkos LGA were attacked: Ndun, Ngyong, Murfet, Makundary, Tamiso, Chiang, Tahore, Gawarba, Dares, Meyenga, Darwat, and Butura Kampani.
“Similarly, on December 24, 2023, at about 2245 hrs, three villages in Barkin-Ladi LGA, namely, NTV, Hurum, and Darawat, were also attacked.
“Findings from the assessment of the ugly incidents in Bokkos LGA revealed that the total number of villages attacked is 12; 221 houses were set ablaze, 27 motorcycles were burned, eight motor vehicles were burned down, and over 79 people were killed, while 17 deaths were recorded in Barkin-Ladi LGA.
The commissioner also said he sent additional forces to prevent further attacks.
International Christian Concern (ICC) has been chronicling attacks against Christian communities by Fulani militias in Nigeria and has named the country as one of the most dangerous for believers. More than 50,000 Christians have been killed in the Middle Belt region over the past 20 years, and millions have been displaced.
