In Nigeria, at least 113 people killed in attacks in the center of the country

2023-12-25 18:50:47

Attacks by armed groups killed at least 113 people between Saturday and Monday in several villages in Plateau State, in central Nigeria, local authorities announced on Monday.

Published on : 25/12/2023 – 19:50

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At least 113 people were killed in attacks carried out by armed groups between Saturday evening and Monday in several villages in Plateau State, in central Nigeria, local authorities announced Monday, December 25.

“At least 113 bodies have been found,” he added, while the toll given Sunday evening by the army was 16 dead.

And “more than 300 people” were injured and transferred to hospitals in Bokkos, Jos and Barkin Ladi, said Monday Kassah.

Armed groups, locally described as “bandits”, attacked “no less than 20 villages” between Saturday evening and Monday morning, he said, stressing that “the attacks were well coordinated”.

The latter began in the district of Bokkos then spilled over into the neighboring district of Barkin Ladi where “30 dead people were found”, according to Danjuma Dakil, its president.

On Sunday, the governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, described the armed action as “barbaric, brutal and unjustified”.

“Proactive measures will be taken by the government to curb the ongoing attacks against innocent citizens,” said Gyang Bere, the governor’s spokesperson.

Pistol shots could still be heard late Sunday afternoon, according to a local source.

The NGO Amnesty International reacted to this violence on its X account, judging that “the Nigerian authorities have always failed in their attempts to put an end to these frequent attacks in Plateau State”.

Amnesty International condemns the killing of over 70 people in fresh attacks by gunmen on some communities of Bokkos and parts of Barkin-Ladi LGA of Plateau State. The attacks that started in the night of Saturday also left dozens of people injured and displaced. pic.twitter.com/0JJkNYUiRx

— Amnesty International Nigeria (@AmnestyNigeria) December 25, 2023

The populations of the northwest and central regions of Nigeria live in terror of attacks by jihadist groups and criminal gangs who pillage villages and kill or kidnap their inhabitants.