Fear grips Plateau community over fresh attack threat

The residents of Plateau State in Nigeria are facing another threat of attacks by insurgents, barely four days after a horrific massacre that claimed the lives of about 200 individuals across 23 communities in the state. This revelation has sent shockwaves through the region, with residents living in constant fear and anticipation of another potential tragedy.

Stanley Kavwam, the deputy national publicity secretary of the Middle Belt Forum, shed light on this impending danger during an interview with Arise Television. According to Kavwam, the terrorists responsible for the recent violence sent a letter warning of an imminent attack to the Pushit community in the Mangu Local Government Area, where he hails from.

Kavwam’s statement has heightened concerns among residents and local authorities, prompting inquiries into the security measures in place to address the threat. When asked about the potential attack on the Pushit community, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Alabo Alfred, acknowledged the command’s awareness of the threat, stating, “We have intelligence, but we are working on it.”

Residents of Pushit have attested to their knowledge of the threat letter issued by the terrorists. They revealed that since the news of the impending attack spread, a sense of insecurity has gripped the community, causing residents to lose sleep at night.

Joshua Bukat, a resident of Pushit, in an interview with The PUNCH, expressed the fear that has engulfed the village.

“Here in the village, we have been living in fear since the news spread that terrorists are planning to launch a fresh attack in our community. From the letter, the terrorists said we would be running in the street with chicken and Christmas rice in our hands,” he said.

He emphasized the urgency of government intervention, urging authorities not to underestimate the threat and to take swift action to safeguard lives.

This alarming development unfolds against the backdrop of a recent Christmas Eve massacre in Plateau State, which resulted in the loss of 195 lives across several communities. Over 10,000 individuals have been displaced as a result of these well-coordinated attacks, seeking refuge in various places such as churches, mosques, schools, and private residences.

Kefas Mallai, the Chairman of Community Peace Observers in the Bokkos Local Government Area, disclosed that over 150 people were killed during the attacks. He also noted that the gunmen were still actively targeting villages, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the state.

Amid the escalating violence, both local and international figures have condemned the attacks. President Bola Tinubu, northern governors, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and the United Nations have all expressed outrage and called for justice. The UN’s human rights chief, Volker Turk, emphasized the urgent need for a thorough investigation into the incident and the apprehension of the perpetrators.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government of Nigeria has vowed to track down those responsible for the Christmas Eve killings. Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, the Minister of Police Affairs, reassured the nation that no effort would be spared in bringing the culprits to justice. He also expressed condolences to the people of Plateau State and underscored the government’s commitment to addressing the security challenges facing the region.