Ahmed Musa, the Super Eagles captain, has conveyed goodwill messages to victims of Christmas Eve attacks on communities in three Plateau State local government areas.
The winger condemned the attacks and ordered a manhunt for the perpetrators, while urging Nigerians to oppose violence.
Gunmen attacked 12 villages in the Barkin Ladi, Mangu, and Bokkos districts of the state on Sunday, burning houses and firing at inhabitants in Ndun, Ngyong, Murfet, Makundary, Tamiso, Chiang, Tahore, Gawarba, Dares, Meyenga, Darwat, and Butura Kampani.
Over 150 individuals were killed in the attacks, according to Kefas Mallai, Chairman of Community Peace Observers in the Bokkos Local Government Area.
More than 10,000 people have sought safety in churches, mosques, schools, and private dwellings in Bokkos alone.
Although our reporter was unable to obtain eyewitnesses to confirm Mallai’s death toll, the Plateau State Government reported that 115 people were killed, while police put the death toll at 96.
Musa, who is preparing for his fourth African Cup of Nations appearance in Ivory Coast, responded to the gruesome tragedy by writing, “I am standing against the violence in Plateau State.” Musa wrote on X with an emoji of a broken heart.
“Plateau State bleeds at the moment. It is so disheartening that such a nefarious act happened on Christmas Eve, with children, adults, and elderly people killed. It is sad and unacceptable.”
He did, however, promise that the Peace Boys would defeat Sporting Lagos in Jos in their NPFL showdown on Thursday (today) to pay tribute to the deceased.
Another Plateau United player, Daniel Itodo, also expressed disgust at the killing, insisting the killers should be brought to justice.
“It’s a shame that such things still happen and have not been fished out,” Itodo told newsmen.
“I pray for the souls that were lost. It’s a sad time in Plateau at the moment, but we hope succor comes to the families who lost their lives.”
