President Bola Tinubu strongly condemned the brutal attack in Plateau State on Tuesday, labeling it as heinous.

Gunmen targeted over 15 communities in the Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas on Christmas Eve, resulting in the tragic loss of over 115 lives.

During the assault, houses were set ablaze, farm produce looted, and properties destroyed by the assailants. The identity of the attackers remains unknown, with no group claiming responsibility for the horrific incident.

In response, President Tinubu issued a directive for security agencies to promptly apprehend those responsible for the attack.

His spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, conveyed the President’s statement, emphasizing the need for a thorough search across the region to bring the culprits to justice.

Additionally, President Tinubu instructed the immediate mobilization of relief resources for surviving victims and medical treatment for the wounded, expressing condolences to the government and people of Plateau State.

He assured Nigerians that those responsible for spreading death, pain, and sorrow would face the consequences of justice.

The attacks, initially occurring in the Bokkos area, extended into the adjacent Barkin Ladi, resulting in the discovery of 30 dead individuals, as reported by local chairman Danjuma Dakil.

On Sunday, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State denounced the violence, describing it as “barbaric, brutal, and unjustified.” The governor’s spokesperson, Gyang Bere, stated that proactive measures would be taken by the government to address the ongoing attacks against innocent civilians.

Gunfire continued to be heard on late Monday afternoon, according to a source from the region, situated on the boundary between Nigeria’s predominantly Muslim north and mainly Christian south.

Markus Amorudu, a resident of Mushu village, recounted that people were sleeping when the sound of gunshots alarmed them. The attackers captured many, some were killed, and others wounded.

Amnesty International criticized the government, stating that “the Nigerian authorities have been failing to end frequent deadly attacks on rural communities of Plateau state.”

The northwest and central regions of Nigeria have long faced threats from bandit militias operating from forest bases, engaging in raids on villages for looting and kidnapping residents for ransom. Competition for natural resources, coupled with clashes between nomadic herders and farmers due to rapid population growth and climate pressures, has heightened social tensions and sparked violence.

In northeastern Nigeria, a jihadist conflict has persisted since 2009, resulting in tens of thousands of casualties and the displacement of around two million people as Boko Haram contends for dominance against rivals linked to the Islamic State group.