Maj-Gen Buba Edward, the Director of Defence Media Operations, in a press briefing provided insights into the Nigerian military’s challenges in preventing the coordinated attacks on Plateau communities that resulted in the tragic killing of over 200 people.
Edward explained that the vast and dispersed nature of the Bokkos and Barkin Ladi areas, spanning about 2,315 square kilometers with over 350 villages, posed significant difficulties for the troops.
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He emphasized that the rugged and mostly inaccessible terrain, coupled with distances of over 90 kilometers between some villages and troops’ locations, impacted the reaction time to incidents.
Detailing the events of the attacks, Edward revealed that on the night of December 23, 2023, armed militant herders carried out unprovoked attacks on Kambarpeli village in the Bokkos LGA while locals were asleep. Over 100 marauding militants wreaked havoc before troops could reach the location.
Similarly, on December 24, 2023, troops received 36 distress calls reporting coordinated attacks by armed militant herders on isolated villages in Bokkos and part of Barkin Ladi LGAs of Plateau. Troops managed to intervene in 19 villages, but the damage had already been done in other locations.
Addressing concerns about the military’s response time, Edward acknowledged the importance of credible intelligence before an attack and assured the public that measures were being taken to enhance their capabilities.
He vowed that such incidents would not be repeated, stating, “Attacks on Plateau will never repeat itself. We have put modalities in place to ensure that whatever limited us the last time that did not allow us to get to some of these locations on time has been eliminated.”
In response to letters notifying residents of potential attacks, the military promised proactive measures and a relentless pursuit of those responsible for the heinous crimes.
The commitment to swift action and improved strategies reflects the military’s determination to protect the affected communities and prevent further tragedies.
