Plateau killings: Why women protesters set house of traditional ruler ablaze

Scores of women protesting arrests of some suspects over involvement in recent killings in Bokkos town of Bokkos local government area of Plateau state on Friday burned down the house of a District Head in the area identified as Michal Monday Adanchi.

The protesting women accused the traditional ruler of being complicit in the arrest in the arrest of members of the community for their alleged involvement in the recent killings in the area.

Apart from the traditional ruler’s residence, the women also reportedly set his administrative office ablaze.

“The incident began at the police station where they expressed their anger over the arrest of some members of the community,” the source said.

“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.”

PUNCH Online reports that over 100 persons were attacked and killed in 17 villages in the Barkin Ladi, Mangu, and Bokkos Local Government Areas of the state on Christmas Eve.

The attacks also displaced over 10,000 persons, many of whom were presently taking refuge in churches, mosques, schools, and private residences.

However, a source who spoke to Daily Trust, said the Friday incident occurred around 12.30 pm.

The spokesperson of Plateau Police Command DSP Alfred Alabo, confirmed the incident.

He added that the command would release a statement on the incident as soon as possible.

Some yet-to-be-identified gunmen had in 17 villages in the Barkin Ladi, Mangu, and Bokkos Local Government Areas of the state on Christmas Eve, killing over a hundred villagers in the communities with over 10,000 displaced.

Many of those displaced are presently taking refuge in churches, mosques, schools, and private residences.

The latest figures indicated that the death toll from the incident has risen above 200.