Several people have been killed in a recent attack in Mangu and Bokkos local government areas of Plateau State.

The attack occurred Saturday and Sunday as village residents prepared for the Christmas celebration.

According to The Punch, at least 14 people were killed in the attack on Lisham Kwahasnat village bordering Mangu and Bokkos LGAs.

In a radio programme on JayFM on Monday, the hosts of the morning show said assailants attacked the community while the residents were asleep.

The villagers reprised, leading to the burning of several properties.

This recent attack adds to the many other killings in Mangu, coincidentally Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s LGA.

The state’s police public relations officer, Alfred Alabo, told the outlet that he would confirm the report and revert on the situation.

However, Capt. Oya James, spokesman for the state military task force, confirmed the attack.

“We were on our way to Mangu to prepare for an event tomorrow (Monday) when we were told that there was a little unrest in Bokkos, and we had to move to Bokkos. We have been there since morning till now,” said Mr James.

Mr James confirmed the number of people reportedly killed and the subsequent reprisal attacks on herdsmen, saying, “What happened was that some assailants went to a village between Mangu and Bokkos and killed 14 persons.

“The villagers were also attacking herders, thinking possibly that they were the ones responsible for the killings. So, we have been here trying to stop them.”

He added that the situation has been quelled, saying, “That is what we have been doing since morning till this Sunday afternoon, but the situation has been brought under control because our troops are on the ground, and more troops are on their way to ensure that no further breakdown of law and order happens.”

A Facebook user, Kingsley Mangai-Marlkay Mallan, affected by the devastating attacks, posted how the unfortunate incident impacted his family members.

“Christmas celebration cancelled for me and my entire household,” said the user. “They have burnt down everything I have loved and grown within Dares, Mandar, Bokkos—not a room or barn spared in that family compound. How do I say to myself or, indeed, the remaining family members that ‘it is well’?”

In a follow-up post, he blamed the delayed response by security agencies for the decay of law and order.

“So this carnage happened around 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. yesterday, the 24th of December, 2023, right? We raised a cry and sent our complaints. Not a single security agent mobilized to the locus criminis,” he added.