In response to the recent Boko Haram attack in the communities of Bokkos Local Government Area in Plateau State, a group of women engaged in a protest that escalated into violence, resulting in the burning down of the residence of the district head of the town, Michael Adanchi.
The protest was triggered by the devastating terrorist attacks that claimed the lives of approximately 125 individuals across 17 villages in the Barkin Ladi, Mangu, and Bokkos Local Government Areas of the state on Christmas Eve. These attacks also forced over 10,000 people to seek refuge in various places such as churches, mosques, schools, and private residence.
According to a source who spoke to Daily Trust, the incident occurred around 12.30pm on Friday. The source revealed that the women set fire to the traditional ruler’s house in response to the arrest of certain community members who were suspected of involvement in the recent killings. The residence, along with the traditional ruler’s administrative office, was destroyed in the process.
“The incident began at the police station where they expressed their anger over the arrest of some members of the community. After leaving the police station, they proceeded to the house of the traditional ruler, protesting that he was a sellout. A few minutes after reaching the house, they set it ablaze,” the source explained.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Alfred Alabo, confirmed the incident and stated that the command would issue a statement regarding the matter in due course.
Earlier on December 29, 2023, just four days after the terrorists killed 195 individuals in 17 communities across the state, the invaders issued a threat of fresh attacks on a community in Plateau State. Stanley Kavwam, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the Middle Belt Forum, revealed during an interview with Arise Television that the terrorists had sent a letter indicating an imminent attack on the Pushit community in the Mangu Local Government Area.
In response to queries about the potential attack on the Pushit community, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Alabo Alfred, assured reporters that the command was aware of the threat and actively working on addressing it. “We have intelligence, but we are working on it,” he stated.
Furthermore, residents of Pushit confirmed their awareness of the threat letter by the terrorists during interviews with journalists on Thursday.