Jos — At least nine people have been killed in central Nigeria just weeks after a flare-up in intercommunal attacks left nearly 200 dead, the local government said on Thursday.
Officials said the victims died in three attacks on Tuesday and Wednesday in the Bokkos district of Plateau State, a region plagued for years by religious and ethnic tensions.
“Five people were killed while cultivating their potato farm at Butura Kampani,” said Bokkos local authority chairman Monday Kassah.
“Three others were also killed at their potato farm (on Wednesday) behind the university,” Kassah said.
200 innocent Nigerians were massacred in Bokkos, Plateau State, there was NO NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING.
Explosion in Bodija, Ibadan. With what I have seen/heard, at least 50 persons might have lost their lives. And yet, NO NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING.
This is Nigeria. 💔…
— Chief Oaikhena, PhD (@FabszekOaikhena) January 17, 2024
Gunshots were heard across farmland behind Plateau State University Bokkos campus and three bodies were recovered, staff member Azi Peter said.
On Tuesday another man was killed in Butura Kampani village, Kassah said.
Plateau State, which lies on the dividing line between Nigeria’s mostly Muslim north and mainly Christian south, regularly sees outbreaks of ethnic and religious violence.
Although there is often violence between farmers and nomadic herders, authorities have not blamed any group for the most recent attacks.
“We are worried that everyday, our people are attacked and killed,” said Umar Ori, head of the MACBAN cattle breeders association in Bokkos.
“Isolated killings will not bring lasting peace in Bokkos communities.”
During the week of Christmas, more than 240 Christians were murdered in Nigeria’s Plateau State. The recent December 2023 massacre, referred to as “Black Christmas,” is only the latest in a series of attacks against innocent followers of Jesus. According to the Intersociety for… pic.twitter.com/YWMXXipyut
— The Voice of the Martyrs Canada (@VOMC) January 18, 2024
Northwest and central Nigeria have also long been terrorised by bandit militias who raid villages and kill or kidnap residents for ransom.
Over Christmas armed men attacked around 20 villages in the Bokkos and Barkin Ladi districts, killing at least 198 people, according to Plateau State officials.
Thousands of people were displaced in the attacks, which hit mostly Christian villages.
Since coming to office in May last year, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has promised to tackle Nigeria’s various security challenges, including a 14-year-old jihadist conflict in the northeast.
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Source: AFP
Picture: X/@NwekeCharles18
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