- The Plateau State Police Command confirmed the attack on December 26, 2023
In response to the insecurity plaguing communities in Plateau State, the Nigeria Police Force has established a Special Operation Squad set to begin immediate operations.
Suspected terrorists perpetrated attacks on more than 15 communities in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas, resulting in the tragic massacre of defenseless residents, including women, children, and the elderly. The coordinated operation lasted about an hour without any opposition, leading to the complete destruction of the affected community.
The Plateau State Police Command confirmed the attack on December 26, 2023, revealing that at least 86 individuals lost their lives, with 221 houses completely razed by the assailants across the 15 communities in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi.
Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, arrived in Jos, the Plateau State capital, in response to the massacre, where the death toll had tragically surpassed 200. His visit aimed to engage key stakeholders, including the governor, to address the grim situation.
Addressing stakeholders at the Government House in Jos during a condolence visit to the governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, over the recent attacks the Police Chief promised that “More deployment of our tactical unit will be made.”
According to Channels TV, Egbetokun said, “We are deploying our tactical unit to assist you; we are deploying our intelligence unit. When you see the IGP visiting with DIG operations and DIG intelligence accompanied by the DIG of the zone, you should know that we mean business.
“A special operation will commence immediately on the plateau. This special operation will form the nucleus of our special intervention squad, the last time I visited you, I told you about our intention to set up a special intervention squad in ten pilot states in Nigeria and Plateau State is one.
“So with this special operation that is commencing today, we are technically flagging off the commencement of the operation of our special intervention squad.”
“With the cooperation of the people of Plateau, a solution is in sight. I want to appeal to the people of Plateau to cooperate with the security agencies, support them with information, and actively take part.
“These criminals have declared war on our state and we are all going to join hands together to fight this war. We should not see this war as a war against the Fulanis, we should not see it as a war against any tribe in Nigeria, it is a war against the criminals; it is a war against enemies of our country,” he said.