PUNCH
The Defence Headquarters has attributed the delayed response from troops during the attacks in Bokkos and Biriki-Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State to the terrain and other factors.
The PUNCH reports that the attacks that occurred on Sunday have led to the deaths of 150 people, and over 10,000 have been displaced.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Tuesday, the governor of the state, Caleb Mutfwang, noted that the response to the attacks could have been better.
Muftwang said, “I wouldn’t want to throw the baby out with the bath water. Certainly, the response time can be better. There were distress calls sent out. Some of the responses would have been delayed for various reasons, including the nature of our terrain.”
Similarly, Amnesty International also called on the authorities on Tuesday to investigate the inability of the security agencies to curb the attacks.
According to the AI Country Director, Isa Sanusi, their investigation showed that the armed men operated for more than 48 hours, moving from one village to another.
He said, “Our investigation shows that the gunmen were on the rampage of killing and destruction for more than 48 hours, moving from one village to another. Apart from Bokkos Local Government Area, where the attacks started and lasted hours, the gunmen also crossed into Barkin Ladi Local Government Area and killed dozens of people in Hurum, Daruwat, Maiyanga, and NTV villages.
“President Bola Tinubu must set up an impartial, independent, and effective panel to investigate the apparent failure of security agencies to halt the bloodshed hours after villages that were attacked were gathering dead bodies of those killed and conveying those injured to hospitals.”
