Terrorists causing unrest in Plateau State have issued a new threat to launch additional attacks on a community in the state this coming Friday. The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the Middle Belt Forum, Stanley Kavwam, confirmed this warning during an appearance on an Arise TV program on Thursday. Kavwam disclosed that the terrorists had sent a letter alerting the Pushit community in Mangu Local Government Area, his hometown, of an impending attack.
While describing the situation, he shared, “While I was driving from Jos to this place, I received a call. A letter was sent to my own village by the terrorists, indicating that the attackers were planning to invade on the 29th of December. For all the orchestrated attacks, there was a letter dropped by an anonymous person, informing the residents of Mangu LGA about the impending attacks.”
This threat follows the daring Christmas Eve attacks by gunmen on 17 communities, resulting in numerous casualties and the complete destruction of these areas. The death toll from this ruthless attack on unsuspecting villagers in three local government areas of the state has now reached 196.
A reliable source informed DAILY POST that at least 149 individuals, including women and children, have been laid to rest in Bokkos Local Government Area. The assailants claimed the lives of at least 28 people in Barkin Ladi LGA, and approximately 19 individuals were fatally shot in Mangu Local Government Area during this tragic incident, all within a 24-hour timeframe.
The ongoing massacre has prompted inquiries into the identities of the attackers. A security source mentioned that the terrorists’ identities are not concealed and that certain stakeholders in the state are actively impeding the efforts of security personnel. The source stated, “It is a longstanding technical issue. But rest assured, the security agencies here are actively seeking ways to put an end to this attack once and for all. Since they are not seeking peace, we may respond to them accordingly.”
Hon. Peter Ibrahim Gyendeng, a federal lawmaker representing Barkin Ladi/Riyom in Plateau State, had previously asserted in an interview that they are familiar with the attackers. In a resurfaced video clip circulating on social media, he claimed that even the security agencies are aware of the attackers, and the terrorists frequently issue advance notices of their impending attacks.