Death toll from Nigeria armed gang attacks rises to 200

By Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu

KANO, Nigeria (AA) – At least 200 people were confirmed dead in a series of armed gang attacks in central Nigeria, a local official said late Wednesday.

Monday Kassah, head of the local government in Bokkos, told Anadolu that two more people died at hospital on Wednesday night, raising the death toll to 200.

“I can assure you that the figure will definitely rise above 200 in one or two days to come. We are seriously in mourning as we lost our brothers and sisters,” he said.

The death toll is rising as some with serious injuries at hospital are dying, while many people are still missing and search for them in the bush is underway, Kassah added.

Armed gunmen attacked 20 communities in the Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi local government areas of the Plateau state from Saturday into the early hours of Monday, killing people, burning houses, and looting farm products.

According to Kassah, 221 houses were set ablaze and 35 motorcycles and motor vehicles were burnt down.

On Wednesday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said his administration will not rest on its oars until victims of the gruesome attacks on communities get justice and the residents are safe.

Vice President Kashim Shettima also assured that justice will be served to the victims of the attacks when he visited the crisis-ravaged communities in the state of Plateau to condole with the people and the local government.

"Please accept our heartfelt condolences and deepest apologies. Because we won’t rest until you access justice and until you are safe,” Shettima said, as he vowed vehemently that the killings in Plateau and other parts of the country must stop.