…Tinubu vows to punish attackers
- …Abbas, Lalong condemn bloodshed
…1,820 displaced – NEMA
By Paul Effiong, Abuja and Rabilu Abubakar, Gombe
Northern States Governors’ Forum, NSGF, has condemned the recent attacks on five communities in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau, describing them as senseless.
The forum said killings threaten the unity and stability of the region.
Chairman of the Forum and Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya,in a statement issued in Gombe, expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incidents, which claimed several lives and left scores injured, mostly women and children.
The statement was made available to journalists in Gombe by Mr Ismaila Uba-Misilli, the Director-General, Press Affairs, Gombe Government House.
Yahaya ,while commiserating with families of victims as well as the government and people of Plateau, decried the cycle of attacks on rural communities in the North.
He described the persistent shedding of innocent blood as a stain on the conscience of the region and the nation.
“The sanctity of human life must never be taken for granted. These heinous attacks on innocent people are totally unacceptable and must be condemned by all”, Yahaya said.
The NSGF Chairman commended the Plateau State Governor, Mr Caleb Mutfwang, for his swift response and measures taken after the attacks, as well as the security agencies for their rapid intervention to restore calm.
He, however, urged security operatives to intensify efforts to track down the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
Yahaya, also stressed the need for tolerance, peace building and mutual understanding among diverse communities, particularly between farmers and herders.
He reiterated the commitment of the Northern governors to working collectively to address insecurity, promoting social cohesion, and fostering harmonious coexistence across the region.
“As Northern governors, we will continue to take deliberate steps to end this cycle of violence, by strengthening security collaboration, promoting dialogue, and implementing policies that encourage peace and unity”, he added.
He further called for support from all stakeholders to complement government’s efforts by preaching peace, tolerance, and forgiveness.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu, at the weekend vowed that the gunmen responsible for the recent attacks in Plateau would be apprehended and punished.
Tinubu’s spokesman, Mr Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement.
Gunmen launched brutal assaults on Ruwi, Hurti, and Tadai communities in Bokkos Local Government, as well as Manguna and Dafo villages, resulting in the loss of lives and widespread destruction of property.
The President expressed his deep sorrow over the violent attacks, directing security agencies to track down the attackers and promising that they would face severe punishment once apprehended.
“The latest attacks on defenceless citizens are unacceptable. These intermittent attacks have no place in our country, especially at a time when we are working tirelessly to restore peace and order.
“This unfortunate incident will not slow us down in our duty to protect every Nigerian. Instead, we will intensify efforts to eradicate forces of evil wherever they are found”, President Tinubu said.
The President extended his condolences to the Government of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, urging affected communities to cooperate with authorities and security agencies by sharing information to help identify the perpetrators and secure their areas.
He assured Mutfwang of his support in putting an end to the violence on the Plateau.
Tinubu, also directed the National Emergency Management Agency to collaborate with state authorities to provide immediate relief and support to the victims and those wounded in the attacks.
The President expressed his condolences to the families of the victims: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and all those affected by this senseless violence.
“No community should endure such tragedy. We must unite to foster peace and stability”.
He called on all citizens to embrace peace, uphold shared humanity, and reject retaliation, regardless of ethnic, religious, or political affiliations.
For his part , the Speaker, House of Representatives, Honourable Tajudeen Abbas has condemned the recent attacks on the affected communities.
This was contained in a press statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity,
Musa Krishi and made available to Journalists in Abuja yesterday.
According to the statement the attack claimed many lives, with scores injured which include mostly women and children.
The Speaker further expressed anger over the attacks describing the act as senseless and barbaric.
Speaker Abbas further lamented the killings, injuries and destruction of property, describing the incident as “one too many”.
While commiserating with the families of the victims, the Speaker charged relevant security agencies with arresting and prosecuting the attackers, warning that impunity has more consequences.
He, however sent his deepest condolences to the people and the government of Plateau State.
Similarly, a lawmaker representing Plateau South Senatorial District, Senator Simon Lalong, condemned the attacks which lead to deaths of innocent citizens.
Special Adviser Media to Senator Lalong, Dr. Makut Simon Macham, in a statement made available to AljazirahNigeria, yesterday, said Lalong, described the attacks as ‘barbaric, unspeakable and condemnable saying the unfortunate situation must be brought to an end”.
While sympathising with the families of the victims and the entire people of Bokkos Local Government, Lalong said the continuous onslaught against the innocent citizens cannot be allowed to go unpunished.
He appreciated President Bola Tinubu for giving stern directives to security agencies to fish out the perpetrators, urging them to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the merchants of death are held to account.
Senator Lalong also acknowledged the directives by the President to Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda to deliver relief materials to the victims and ensure that they get succour.
The Senator said he is working with his colleagues at the National Assembly to ensure that the such attacks never occur again.
He asked the state Government to deploy all its might in tackling the condemnable action of wicked persons determined to jeopardise the peace and security of Bokkos and Plateau State at large.
Forty persons were killed in last week’s attack on Hurti, Manguna District of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Village Head of Hurti, Mr Maren Aradong, said this when Chief Samuel Jatau, the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, led other government officials on an assessment visit to the community, yesterday.
Throwing more light on the incident, Aradong said that the gunmen also looted foodstuff and other items.
According to him, “Last Wednesday, at about 3:00 p.m., gunmen invaded our communities in their numbers; they came on motorcycles and attacked us.
“In Hurti alone, these gunmen killed more than 40 people and displaced about 1,000 persons.
“They also burnt 383 houses, destroyed foodstuff, and looted other items”, he said.
Aradong, who commended the state government and the security personnel for their swift intervention, called for the deployment of more security personnel to the affected communities.
Also commenting on the incident after the attack, Brig.-Gen. Gagji Shipi ,Retd, Coordinator of Operation Rainbow, a state-owned security outfit, confirmed the attack.
Shipi, who described the incident as a major setback on the peace efforts in the state, said that measures were already being taken to forestall future occurrences.
Speaking during the visit, Jatau, who commiserated with the families who lost their loved ones during the attack, called on the Federal Government to also provide support for the displaced persons.
The SSG explained that the government delegation was in the community to commiserate with the people and encourage them to be steadfast.
“We are here to see to things for ourselves and ascertain the level of damage done by the attackers.
“It is unfortunate that this era people could attack, kill innocent citizens, and destroy their properties without thinking twice.
“We have seen things for ourselves, and we will report back to the governor; we want to assure the people that they are not alone.
“We are here with some relief materials to cushion the immediate hardship that the people are currently passing through, pending a more lasting solution”, he said.
NAN also reports that some of the items donated to the displaced persons were mattresses, sleeping mats, buckets, bags of rice, beans, and maize.
Other items donated included blankets, cartons of washing and bathing soaps, noodles, and pasta, among others.
Following the renewed Killings the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, disclosed that over 1,820 persons have been displaced as a result of the latest attacks on some communities in Plateau State.
This is as NEMA, in collaboration with the Plateau State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, has begun a rapid assessment of communities affected by recent attacks in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.
In a statement shared on its X account yesterday, NEMA revealed that the attacks affected several villages, including Ruwi, Hurti, Tadai, Gwande, Manguna, and Dafo.
The gunmen’s brutal assaults resulted in multiple fatalities and widespread destruction of property.
At least 52 people were confirmed killed between March 27 and April 2, 2025.
NEMA noted that the assessment teams are currently on the ground in the impacted areas to evaluate the extent of the damage and identify the immediate needs of affected populations.
“Concurrently, arrangements are being finalised for the delivery of relief materials approved by the Federal Government, in line with the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to provide swift humanitarian assistance to the victims.
“In addition, a high-level team from NEMA headquarters, led by the Director General, is en route to Plateau State to reinforce ongoing efforts by the NEMA Zonal Office in Jos. This visit aims to further coordinate relief interventions and ensure an efficient and timely response”, it stated.
The agency added that over 1,820 individuals have been displaced as a result of the attack.
The statement added: “Three displacement camps have been established in Daffo, Hurti, and Gwande, while others are currently being hosted by local communities.
“An in-depth report confirms the killing of at least 52 persons between March 27 and April 2, 2025.
“Five persons are still reported missing in Hurti. Two critically injured individuals are receiving treatment at Plateau Specialist Hospital, while over 20 others are admitted at Cottage Hospital, Bokkos Town.
“The security situation remains tense. NEMA is coordinating with the State Emergency Management Agency m and the Chairman of Bokkos LGA to assess the camp situation and provide urgent”.
It said further updates would be provided as the situation unfolds.
