President Tinubu Condemns ‘Heinous And Brutal Attacks’ In Plateau

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday condemned the "heinous and brutal" attacks that took place in Plateau, which killed at least 160 people over the weekend.

"President Bola Tinubu strongly condemns the heinous and brutal attacks in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State, which resulted in the tragic loss of many lives," Chief Ajuri Ngelale, special advisor to the president, said in a statement shared on X.

The president has reportedly directed the security agencies to "immediately move in, scour every stretch of the zone, and apprehend the culprits." He also directed "immediate mobilization of relief resources for surviving victims of the primitive and cruel attacks as well as medical treatment for the wounded."

"While condoling with the government and the people of Plateau State, President Tinubu assures Nigerians that these envoys of death, pain, and sorrow will not escape justice," the statement added.

Local government officials said Monday that armed groups killed at least 160 people in a series of attacks on villages in central Nigeria. Monday Kassah, head of the local government in Bokkos, Plateau, confirmed at least 113 people were dead.

Kassah said bandits launched "well-coordinated" attacks in at least 20 different communities and burned down houses. More than 300 people were wounded. The victims were immediately rushed to nearby hospitals.

Dickson Chollom, a member of the state parliament, condemned the attacks and said at least 50 people were found dead in several villages in the Barkin Ladi area.

The incident took place on the same day when Tinubu urged Nigerians to be patient and confident as Nigeria will "shortly emerge into a new dawn of prosperity, peace, and irreversible progress."

Gunmen targeting communities is not new in Nigeria. Earlier this month, armed men attacked the Taraba community and kidnapped 16 people, including a traditional ruler, a pregnant woman and two police officers.

Last month, unidentified people opened fire in Imo State, killing two police officers and a civilian. In another incident in Katsina State, bandits killed five people and kidnapped five others.