Outrage on Tuesday greeted the coordinated attacks on 23 villages in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi local government areas of Plateau State, which left over 150 dead and many others injured.
Death toll from the attacks launched from Saturday night to early Monday morning rose to 155 yesterday; while over 6,000 people are said to have been displaced.
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) condemned the attacks and called for a change in military tactics.
Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, Director, Publicity and Advocacy/Spokesperson, NEF, in a statement yesterday, said: “NEF expresses concern over the inability of the military to prevent the Christmas Eve killings, despite claiming to have promptly responded to 36 distress calls from different locations in Plateau State in the 48 hours leading up to Christmas. This highlights the Forum’s growing suspicions regarding the efficacy and sufficiency of the government’s operational methods.
“NEF questions whether the strategies employed by the government are flawed or grossly inadequate, given the audacious regularity and ease with which the attackers operate across the northern region.
“NEF is also deeply concerned about the recent security incident in Ruwan Dorawa village, Zamfara State that unfolded on the same Christmas Eve resulting in the loss of two innocent lives and the abduction of over 25 individuals, predominantly children and women, including the wife of the village head.
“In light of this incident and the escalating security challenges faced by the region, NEF urgently demands a comprehensive investigation into the reported security lapse in Ruwan Dorawa village. The findings of this inquiry must be made public, and those responsible for the security breach must be held accountable to ensure justice for the victims and prevent such incidents from reoccurring,” the statement said.
The Forum also called upon the relevant authorities to give immediate attention to the several administrative and judicial commissions of inquiry reports concerning security incidents in Plateau, Kaduna and other conflict areas in the North.
It further called “For a reassessment of the current strategies deployed by the government, as they have proved ineffective and inefficient in curbing the escalating violence. NEF strongly condemns this devastating act and expresses its heartfelt condolences to the families affected by this heinous crime.”
