Plateau State, North Central Nigeria, witnessed one of its deadliest attacks in recent history between December 23 and 25, 2023, when armed assailants believed to be Fulani herdsmen invaded about 17 rural communities across Mangu, Bokkos, and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas.

By the time the attacks subsided, more than 200 people had reportedly been killed, while over 500 others sustained varying degrees of injuries. Several houses, churches, farmlands, and livestock were destroyed, leaving thousands of residents displaced.

Survivors said the attackers invaded the communities at night, shooting indiscriminately and setting houses on fire. Many residents were trapped in their homes, while others fled into nearby bushes for safety.

While attending a church service on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2023, some assailants struck. “We narrowly escaped as we took to our heels,” said one witness. “A pregnant woman, Mrs. Ogbeche — Michael’s wife — suffered a miscarriage and sustained fractures in her hand and waist.” The Ogbeche family was later rescued by a kindhearted stranger who smuggled them out of Plateau State. “The situation was terrible and cannot be forgotten easily,” the witness added.

One of the survivors, Mr. Michael Ogbeche, a 45-year-old farmer, recounted how he and his family narrowly escaped the attack on December 23.

> “We ran into the bush as they were shooting. When I returned the next morning, everything had been destroyed — my house, my farmland, and the tractor I borrowed were all burnt,” he said.

Several of Ogbeche’s neighbors were not as fortunate. Local residents said among the victims were Moses Yakubu, Aguma Moses, Sheba Ernest, Chama Ernest, Basuna Moses, Azumi Moses, Mary Stephen, Laraba Randi, Faith Basuma, and Isere Moses, among others.

Eyewitnesses described the incident as one of the most violent episodes in recent years. Some community leaders said the attacks appeared to target farming settlements that had experienced similar violence in the past.

Although security agencies have since been deployed to the affected areas, residents and human rights groups have expressed disappointment over what they described as the slow and inadequate response of the authorities.

The Plateau State Government has condemned the killings and promised to strengthen security collaboration between communities and security operatives to prevent a recurrence.

However, analysts say the latest attacks highlight the persistent insecurity in the North Central region, where long-standing clashes between farmers and herders have led to the loss of thousands of lives over the past decade.

As families bury their loved ones and displaced persons take refuge in temporary camps, calls have intensified for the federal government to implement lasting measures to address the root causes of the violence and bring the perpetrators to justice.