In the quiet village of Durbi, within the Shere district of Jos East local government area, tragedy struck once more as assailants launched a deadly assault. Two lives were claimed in this heart-wrenching incident, adding to the grim toll of recent violence in the region.
Markus Nyam, Chairman of the Transition Implementation Committee, confirmed the grim news on Sunday. The attackers, descending on the village under the cover of Saturday night, ruthlessly killed a father and his son. Despite the harrowing events, local vigilantes engaged the assailants, resulting in the death of one attacker, while the others managed to escape.
The Joint Security Task Force Operation Safe Haven swiftly responded to the community's distress call, preventing further damage and loss of life.
The attack follows closely on the heels of the tragic Christmas Eve assaults on Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi local government areas, where over 190 lives were lost. This surge in violence compounds the already heightened state of insecurity in the region.
Nigeria's top brass, including Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa and the Chiefs of Army, Air, and Naval Staff, visited the affected areas. The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammed Matawalle, and Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, accompanied them.
The Christmas attacks saw the destruction of numerous homes, looting of farm produce, and property damage. Ethnic and religious tensions, which have long troubled the province, were further inflamed by these events.
Despite these challenges, the affected communities are not alone. Aid is on the horizon, with Vice President Kashim Shettima assuring that relief efforts will be closely supervised to ensure they reach those in need. As the nation grapples with the aftermath, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed security agencies to apprehend the culprits and bring them to justice.
The region now awaits not only justice but also a collective effort to address the root causes of this devastating violence and prevent its recurrence.
