The Chairman of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, Monday Kassa has said that the death toll in the Xmas Plateau attacks on the Plateau has risen to 148.
The Chairman disclosed on Wednesday.
The toll marked a sharp rise from the initial figure reported by the Army on Sunday evening of just 16 dead in a region plagued for several years by religious and ethnic tensions.
Kassa stated this during a visit by Vice President Kashim Shettima, three days after the assailants set ablaze several houses.
The marauders also looted farm produce and destroyed properties as they butchered the residents, an act that has been condemned by President Bola Tinubu who directed security agencies to unmask the attackers.
He said that 38 communities were attacked by them on Sunday, the worst outbreak of violence in Plateau since May when more than 100 people were killed in farmer-herder attacks.
He also directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide immediate intervention to those affected, especially those displaced from their homes.
Hundreds of families are now living in internally displaced persons camps provided by the state government.
The attacks which started in the Bokkos area spilled into neighbouring Barkin Ladi where 30 people were found dead, according to local chairman, Danjuma Dakil.
On Sunday, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang condemned the violence, calling it barbaric, brutal and unjustified.
The spokesperson to the governor, Gyang Bere said that the proactive measures will be taken by the government to curb ongoing attacks against innocent civilians.
