Gbenga Oloniniran
Residents of Plateau communities attacked on Christmas Eve by gunmen are battling humanitarian challenges ranging from poor feeding to homelessness.
Gunmen on December 24, 2023, attacked 25 communities in three local government areas of Plateau State, killing over 150 people and razing about 221 houses.
The attacks, which affected Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu LGAs, led to the displacement of over 10,000 residents of the attacked communities.
Following this, a concerned group that visited the communities noted it gathered first-hand information on how the displaced residents, including women and children, had been subjected to inhumane conditions in the aftermath of the attacks.
In pictures and videos released by @pwajok_jane on X on Thursday, the group – Middle Belt Patriots team was said to have visited IDP camps in Mangu, Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi on Wednesday.
“This was majorly done to interface with the victims to hear their stories directly, see the damages done, ask what help is needed, to give more insight into the intervention,” @pwajok_jane wrote.
The pictures showed burnt houses and vehicles, with some children, men and women stranded outside as they managed to cook in the local ways.
Some of the displaced persons were seen in classrooms where they sheltered and had their belongings, such as clothes, bags and cooking utensils, etc, put together.
“This is the condition of people in the IDP (camps). They have been living in a secondary school (which they would be evacuated from because schools will resume in a few days).
“They sleep on the floor in the classrooms. A total of about 100 people share a classroom at night,” @pwajok_jane said.
The X user said the hospitals where most of the victims were admitted were also visited.
According to the posts, some of the children lost both parents and some lost either the father or mother.
Food storage was also shown to have been burnt down in the attack.
“A total of five cars were also burnt to ashes in one community alone in Mangu,” the post added.
The group also covered a church that was attacked where a cleric was killed. The doors and windows of the church were shown to have been riddled with bullets.
“The IDP camps are in terrible conditions. They cook and eat once a day (sometimes they don’t even have food at all in a day) and depend on donations from individuals. Most of the parents had gone out to look for food when our team arrived so we met mostly children,” the post also said.
A survivor of the attacks, whose identity was kept anonymous, spoke to the Middle Belt Patriots team and narrated how he lost his loved ones.
In the video interview shared by @pwajok_jane, the victim, a resident of the Mangu community, said, “On December 24, around 7:30 pm or 7:45 pm, we just started hearing gunshots non-stop. The attackers sent everyone out of the house. My mother, while trying to escape, was hit by a bullet in the chest.
“Then, my junior brother, they met him outside and macheted (sic) him, another junior (brother), after he was killed, they mutilated him.”
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Alabo Alfred, could not be reached for comments as his line was busy and had yet to respond to a message from our correspondent on the current state of security in the affected communities.
But Gyang Bere, the Director of Press and Public Affairs to Governor Caleb Mutfwang in the state, disclosed efforts the government was making to ensure the welfare of the displaced persons was guaranteed.
Bere, in a telephone interview with The PUNCH on Thursday, said, “Originally, there were no IDP camps in Plateau. When issues like this happen, arrangements are made for where the people can stay within a short period before they proceed to places that they can go.
“People are not used to staying in IDP camps. Over the years, you cannot point at any IDP camp. Now, a lot of people are seeking refuge in their neighbours and relations’ (places), some as far as in the city centres. I can attest to that; I’ve seen a lot. That has been the tradition.
“On the part of the government, we’re making efforts. A lot of materials have been supplied to the displaced persons. The National Emergency Management Agency has bought a lot of materials in collaboration with the Plateau State Relief Agency. We are still expecting some on the directive of the president.”
Speaking on the state of security in the communities, Bere said, “The IGP came a few days ago and I know that security has been beefed up in that area. We still need more of it because the communities are isolated.
“In some cases, we will need more of the presence of the security personnel on the ground. At the moment, the state government is working assiduously with the Federal Government to ensure communities within those areas are adequately protected.”
Thousands were displaced following the December attack that was described by North Central governors as similar to the Rwanda genocide. The FG has promised to bring the perpetrators to justice.
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