Fifty-two lives, young and old, were tragically cut short in a wave of violence that swept through several communities nestled within the serene landscapes of Bokkos Local Government Area in Plateau State. This heart-wrenching incident adds to the grim tally of previous attacks, including the horrific Christmas Eve massacre in 2023 that left over a hundred families shattered.
The nightmare began unfolding on the ominous date of March 28th when suspected cattle herders descended upon Ruwi community like dark shadows, mercilessly snuffing out the lives of ten mourners. From there, an unfathomable chain reaction was set off, engulfing six villages—Ruwi, Mangor, Daffo, Manguna, Hurti, and Tadai—in a harrowing blaze of destruction. Houses turned to ash, food supplies plundered, and lives taken without mercy.
Amidst the smoldering ruins and grieving hearts lies a community grappling with incomprehensible loss. The haunting echoes of wails and sobs reverberate across the once-tranquil landscape as survivors recount tales of horror and heroism. In their shared sorrow and resilience thrives a spirit unbroken by adversity—a testament to human fortitude in the face of unspeakable tragedy.
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“31 souls laid to rest”
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Farmasum Fuddang stood amidst the somber gathering as Chairperson of the Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC), bearing witness to the solemn procession of laying 31 souls to rest on hallowed ground. Among them were five innocent minors whose promising futures were cruelly snuffed out in Hurti village’s fiery inferno. Ruwi bore witness to eleven precious lives extinguished in an instant while Manguna mourned four souls lost too soon; Dafo wept for yet another fallen neighbor.
In the wake of these heinous acts shrouded in darkness, faint glimmers of justice flicker on the horizon. While official statements from the Plateau Police Command remain pending like clouds pregnant with raindrops, whispers abound about suspects apprehended by vigilant security agencies deployed to restore order in this embattled region.
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“Calls for peace amidst turmoil”
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As dawn breaks over Plateau State casting its golden rays upon scorched earth and broken dreams, voices rise in unison calling for an end to bloodshed that stains this idyllic landscape crimson red. Joyce Ramnap’s resolute words echo with unwavering determination as she vows that no stone will be left unturned in pursuit of peace and safety for all who call this land home.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s unwavering commitment shines brightly through strategic initiatives aimed at bolstering intelligence-gathering efforts alongside rapid response mechanisms orchestrated hand-in-hand with dedicated security personnel. A beacon of hope emerges from these collaborative endeavors urging residents to stand united against forces seeking to sow discord and despair.
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“Amnesty International speaks out”
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In a poignant plea resonating far beyond borders traversed by grief-stricken whispers carried on winds heavy with lamentations, Amnesty International demands swift action from Nigerian authorities to halt this relentless cycle of violence gripping North-central states like a vice. With staggering estimates revealing a toll exceeding 1,300 lives lost between December 2023 and February 2024 across Mangu, Bokkos, Barkin-Ladi LGAs—a stark reminder that every number represents a cherished soul forever silenced.
The scars etched deep into Plateau’s soil bear witness to clashes fueled by climate change-induced strife pitting herding communities against farming neighbors—leaving behind trails littered with broken trust and shattered hopes for peaceful coexistence. As echoes from past tragedies reverberate through present-day realities fraught with uncertainty and fear linger—echoes demanding accountability ring loud calling for justice long overdue.
In closing ranks around those scarred by loss while extending hands open in solidarity towards brighter tomorrows forged through unity rather than division lies hope for healing wounds festering beneath layers of anguish yet untold.
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