Plateau Massacre: UN Rights Chief, Hungary President Comments

A wave of international concern has surged following the attacks launched by armed groups on communities in three local government areas of Plateau State, which killed over 150 persons, left hundreds injured and displaced several thousand others from their homes.  

Plateau State located in the north-central part of Nigeria, bounded by states of Kaduna, Bauchi, Nasarawa and Taraba, has been torn in not just clashes between farmers and herders but also ethno-religious tension which has developed over the years. 

The current attacks on the people of plateau state by gunmen yet to be identified has attracted international concern, highlighting the gravity of the situation.

UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Turk, in a statement, has expressed profound alarm at the series of assaults by these unidentified gunmen that ravaged numerous rural communities, resulting in a death toll of at least 150 individuals, with numerous others sustaining injuries. 

He said, “I am deeply alarmed by the series of attacks by gunmen on multiple rural communities in Plateau State, north-central Nigeria, on Christmas Eve, that left at least 150 people dead and many injured.”

He urged Nigerian authorities to swiftly, thoroughly, and independently investigate the incident in line with international  human rights law. Additionally, Turk emphasized the need for holding the perpetrators accountable through fair trials.

Echoing Turk’s sentiment, the President of Hungary, Katalin Novák, through a tweet has condemned the brutal assault on Christians during the Christmas season, offering prayers and thoughts to the affected families. Expressing concern over the reported massacre, the President emphasized the urgency of ending such atrocities and advocated for support to persecuted Christians.

Brutal attack on #Christians at #Christmas in #Nigeria🇳🇬. According to certain news outlets, more than a hundred people were killed. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims. This massacre must end. Persecuted Christians must receive help.

— Katalin Novák (@KatalinNovak_HU) December 27, 2023

 “According to certain news outlets, more than a hundred people were killed. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims. This massacre must end. Persecuted Christians must receive help.”

Following the bloodshed in Plateau, the cries of the nation and those outside of it has been loud, beckoning on the government and security forces to address this horrific acts and investigate and bring to accountability the perpetrators of this evil that has robbed life and properties in the state

It can only be hoped that this, unlike many other cases, would not be swept under the carpets of mere condemnations. 

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Joy Chukwu

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