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Rev. Keoleh Saleh, President, Baptist Conference in Plateau, says the church lost nine of its members in the Christmas eve attacks in some communities of Bokkos Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau.
The president disclosed this when he visited Dares community to witness the mass burial of the victims on Wednesday.
According to him, the deceased were members of the Nasara Baptist Church, Dares in Tanti Baba area of Bokkos.
Saleh, who described the incident as unfortunate, said rescue operation was still ongoing as more members of the church were still missing.
”We are here on behalf of the Nigerian Baptist Convention to see things for ourselves and participate in this mass burial.
”At the moment, we have lost nine of our members who are from Nasara Baptist Church, Dares.
”The President of Baptist convention postponed our usual Christmas celebration to honour our fallen members,’’ he said.
Saleh, however, called on members of the church and all residents of the community to put their trust in God in spite of their current situation.
He also called on the Federal Government and the security agencies to intensify efforts toward adressing the circle of attacks, mindless killings and wanton destruction of properties in the state.
Earlier, Mr Malla Majau, one of the eye witnesses, said he lost his wife and son in the attack.
He said that the lifeless bodies of others were still laying in the bush and called on security personnel to recover the bodies for proper burial.
Gunmen attacked 25 villages, killed 148 persons, destroyed 1, 290 houses, farmlands and other properties worth millions in the unprovoked attacks.
Eighty-eight persons sustained various degrees of injuries and are currently taking treatment in various hospitals in the state.
IGP orders investigation into attack on Plateau communities
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered a thorough investigation into the Dec. 24 attack on some communities in Plateau.
He also ordered the immediate deployment of additional personnel and material resources to assist the local police authority and other security agencies to effectively manage the crisis and ensure the safety of affected communities.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
Egbetokun directed Deputy Inspectors General, Force Criminal Investigation Department, and the Department of Force Intelligence to constitute a high-powered investigative team.
The IGP said the team should unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and bring those responsible to justice.
According to him, the police and other security agencies are deploying both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to tackle the lingering crisis in the state.
He enjoined the warring groups, residents and the entire people of the state to embrace peace, shun violence and unwarranted killings of innocent souls.
Egbetokun condemned the attack, describing it as not only barbaric but also reprehensible and inhumane.
He extended his heartfelt condolences to the grieving families and other loved ones of the deceased, as well as the government and people of Plateau State.
The IGP pledged to ensure that the perpetrators of the heinous act face the full wrath of the law.
He said the Nigeria Police Force would remain resolute in its commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of all citizens.
Miyetti Allah condemns Plateau killings
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), has condemned the resurgent violence and bloodbath in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau, which claimed many lives.
The National President of MACBAN, Alhaji Baba Othman-Ngelzarma, condemned the killings in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja.
“The intolerance that is fanning this circle of violence must be stopped by the Federal and Plateau Governments.
”This act of barbarism by the actors must be condemned by all, irrespective of religious or ethnic affiliation,” he said.
Othman-Ngelzarma said the association supported President Bola Tinubu in his directives to the security agencies to fish out the culprits and bring them to book.
He also thanked the President for his directive that relief materials be distributed to the victims.
Othman-Ngelzarma enjoined the Plateau Government to include pastoralists among the beneficiaries of the relief materials.
“As a responsible association, we call on the leadership of both the antagonist and protagonist in the area to embrace peace.
“Leaders from all sides must understand that continuous spilling of innocent citizens’ blood will only bring misery and not peace.
“It is clear that all these years, where violence had been the order of the day, people had gained nothing either as victors or losers,” he said
Meanwhile, President Tinubu has strongly condemned the heinous and brutal attacks.
A statement by Presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale quoted Tinubu as directing security agencies to immediately move in, scout every stretch of the zone, and apprehend the culprits.
The President also directed the immediate mobilisation of relief resources for surviving victims of the attacks as well as medical treatment for the wounded.