PROTESTERS burned down the palace of Bokkos District Head Saf Adanchin today during protests against what they called indiscriminate arrests in the area following recent killings in the Plateau community.
They were protesting the arrest of certain community members in connection with the assaults in the neighborhood.
To show their discontent with the development, the demonstrators, largely youths and women, marched to the Joint Security Task Force Operation Safe Haven base and the Divisional Police Office in the Bokkos Local Government Area community.
However, the protests turned violent when they marched to the district chief’s palace, overwhelmed security guards, and set fire to the structure and vehicles parked on the site.
As of the time of publication, state police had yet to comment on the incident, but had previously announced the arrest of eight people in connection with the Christmas Eve attacks in the area.
Meanwhile, following the Christmas Eve attacks in Bokkos, the Bokkos Progressive Youths have accused security officers of bias.
“It is with pain in our hearts that we write to address you concerning the continuous violation of human rights by the military sent to foil the attacks that started on 23rd December 2023 in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State Nigeria,” its president Luka Tulladem said in a statement.
“Since the sad event happened, we have witnessed continuous arrest, detention, and brutalization of victims who managed to escape the horror of the attackers. In most cases, these victims have suffered incapacitation and bullet wounds from the same army who are supposed to protect them”.
The Christmas Eve attack attracted condemnation locally and globally with President Bola Tinubu ordering a probe into the incidents. Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang also called for “united efforts to identify and apprehend those responsible for these heinous acts”.
Pope Francis also called for prayers for the victims of the violence.
“Let us pray together for the victims of the severe violence in Nigeria’s Plateau State. May God free Nigeria from these horrors!” the Catholic pontiff said.
