Hundreds of survivors huddle within the confines of a church in Bokkos, Nigeria, seeking solace and basic necessities after a brutal Christmas weekend attack claimed nearly 200 lives. The assault highlights the long-simmering tensions that plague Plateau State, a region caught between Nigeria’s Muslim-majority north and Christian-dominated south.
The bloodshed, which began on December 23rd and continued until Boxing Day, forced some 20,000 people, primarily women and children, to flee around 20 villages across Bokkos and neighboring Barkin Ladi. These desperate survivors now find themselves crammed into 23 makeshift camps established by the Red Cross.
Lucy Joshua, who lost seven family members in the attack, recounted the chaos of that fateful night. “We were cooking when the gunmen struck. We ran for our lives, not knowing where we were heading,” she said, her voice heavy with grief. “Now, I don’t even know the whereabouts of some of my children and grandchildren.”
Joshua, along with others like Josephine Matthew whose family also suffered devastating losses, expressed gratitude for the Red Cross’s support and the local community’s generosity in providing food and clothing. However, a critical shortage of food, water, and essential supplies hangs heavy over the displaced population.
“No government officials have helped us,” Matthew lamented, adding that even basic needs like access to clean water and sanitation facilities are severely lacking within the overcrowded church. “They say help is coming, but for now, we feel abandoned.”
Abigail Moses, another survivor, echoed the desperate need for assistance. “Our attackers not only killed people but also burned down our homes and destroyed our crops. We are in dire straits, needing everything just to survive,” she implored.
Nuruddeen Hussain Magaji, a local Red Cross coordinator, emphasized the “desperate need” for immediate aid. “Food, water, clothing, hygiene products – these are all essential,” he stated, adding that the traumatized survivors also require psychological support.
While the attackers’ identities remain shrouded in mystery, Vice President Kashim Shettima pledged swift action during a recent visit to the region. “Aid will arrive shortly,” he assured, vowing personal oversight to ensure no misappropriation of vital resources.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang echoed this commitment, while Yuhanna Audu from the national rescue agency, NEMA, confirmed that supplies are en route and distribution is expected to begin within 48 hours.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered security forces to “immediately move in, scour the area, and apprehend the culprits.” However, tackling the root causes of this violence demands a more nuanced approach.
Bandit militias operating from forest bases have long terrorized northwest and central Nigeria, raiding villages for loot and kidnapping residents for ransom. Competition for resources between nomadic herders and farmers, further exacerbated by population growth and climate pressures, fuels further social tensions and ignites violence.
The northeastern part of the country has grappled with a separate jihadist conflict since 2009, displacing millions and claiming countless lives as Boko Haram and its affiliates vie for control.
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk condemned the Christmas attacks, urging an end to the “cycle of impunity” and calling on the government to address the underlying factors driving this recurring violence.
The road to recovery for Bokkos and its people will be long and arduous. Ensuring equitable access to aid, fostering social cohesion, and addressing the complex issues fueling conflict are crucial steps towards preventing such tragedies from claiming innocent lives in the future.
