Again, gunmen kill 28 in Plateau

RAMPAGING Fulani herdsmen in Plateau State, on Tuesday, sacked two villages in Riyom Local Government Area, killing 28 people and sacking other villages within the locality.

Nigerian Tribune learnt that the marauders, suspected to be mercenaries and allegedly on a revenge mission, attacked the villages of Da Jak and Attakar in Kanawuri district of the state in the early hours of Tuesday and set houses on fire with the intention of smoking the people out of their abodes.

It was gathered the villagers, who were in their beds when the marauders stormed the communities, ran out and were shot by the Fulani, who had positioned themselves around the villages.

A source, who escaped from one of the affected villages, disclosed that the attackers were later repelled by security agents who arrived the communities one hour later.

The member representing Riyom constituency in the state House of Assembly, Honourable Daniel Dem, who confirmed the attack on phone, said dozens of persons were feared killed, adding that the actual numbers of causalities were still being compiled.

The lawmaker, who  described the attack as sad,  said  both  villages had been under siege by suspected Fulani militia since last week and  accused  the Special Task Force deployed to restore law and order in the area as being part of the problem.

Also killed in the attack were two policemen serving in the state police command. They were allegedly shot in a gun duel with the marauders.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Chris Olakpe, who confirmed the incident, said a policeman was shot while on a peace mission to the area, adding that the command was intensifying efforts to track down the undesirable elements.
Tribune