Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang checks on injured victims receiving treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital.
The nation is grieving after two separate attacks rocked Nigeria early last week, leaving dozens dead.
The first happened on what was supposed to be a solemn Palm Sunday evening of reflection and prayer when the densely populated Gari Ya Waye area of Angwan Rukuba community, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, descended into unimaginable terror.
At the end of the attack, at least 28 residents were confirmed dead.
This is not the first attack in Plateau.
The state has for several years been a scene of constant attacks in what analysts have described as indigenes and settlers faceoff.
To underscore the gravity of the attack, President Bola Tinubu visited Plateau on Thursday to commiserate with the people.
The second attack occurred barely 24 hours later, specifically on Monday, when armed members of Boko Haram terrorists invaded Kautikari village in Chibok local government area of Borno State, killing a Commander of Hunters involved in anti-terror operations, Mallam Bumto, and 21 others.
Amongst the victims was Peter Yohanna whose wedding was slated for Wednesday, April 1 before the Monday, March 30 massacre.
The incident left many residents to flee their homes for safety, as foodstuffs and livestock were looted by the attackers.
Kautikari has witnessed series of deadly Boko Haram attacks in the past, and is located not far away from the Council Headquarters of Chibok. It is predominantly a Christian and agrarian community located in the Sambisa forests, an enclaves of the terrorists.
A Kautikari indigene who escaped the attack, Mr. James Yakubu, said the attackers, large in numbers, invaded the community at about 6:56pm, and wreaked havoc without confrontation as there was no presence of troops or security operatives in the area.
Yakubu said, “It is unfortunate that the Commander of Hunters, Mallam Bumto, who just returned to Kautikari from his Lagos trip, fought gallantly in repelling the attackers, but he was later overwhelmed and killed by the terrorists.
“Although military operatives are doing their best, we need their permanent presence in Kautikari village at this critical period of attacks”.
A heartbroken cousin of Yohanna who was killed only 48 hours to his wedding, Mr. Chiroma Aliyu, told Sunday Vanguard, “We had concluded all necessary arrangements to ensure a befitting church wedding for our Brother Peter Yohanna in Kautikari on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, but we lost him in the bloody Monday attack.
“As it is, we are into mourning, and we have asked our relatives who are residing in Maiduguri and other locations to halt their planned movement concerning the wedding.
“Initially, we buried nine of our people, but we later found other bodies in the bush, making a total of 22 persons dead, even as we are still searching for those missing.”
Another relative, Miss Glory Kautikari, resident in Maiduguri, said she had made plans to attend the wedding of Peter Yohanna.
“I am seriously traumatized by the killing of Peter Yohanna and other people in Kautikari”, she said.
“In fact, I had finished all arrangements to leave Maiduguri on Tuesday to attend Peter Yohanna’s wedding.
“Unfortunately, we received a call that he was among those killed by Boko Haram last Monday. May the souls of those killed rest in peace, as we wish the injured ones quick recovery.”
Vanguard
