Friday, March 29, 2013

Gunmen kill two policemen, 18 others in Plateau


Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal



No fewer than 20 persons, among them two policemen, were killed when gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen attacked two villages in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.
This came as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, called for a truce in the raging clashes in the state.
The gunmen, who invaded Mangor and Matol in Bokkos in the early hours of Thursday, allegedly killed and burnt houses when many of the villagers were asleep.
Our correspondent gathered that the attack on the communities lasted for over two hours before Special Task Force operatives arrived at the scene.
The two police officers allegedly died during a gun duel between the invaders and the STF operatives.
A source said some of the herdsmen in the communities collaborated with the attackers suspected to be mercenaries from Niger Republic and Chad to perpetuate the act.
However, in a reprisal, the residents were said to have attacked the Fulani settlements in the town, near the abandoned Bokkos Fertilizer Plant.
The attack paralysed business activities in Bokkos as the weekly Thursday market, where Irish potatoes and maize are sold, was deserted.
Spokesman for the STF, Lt. Jude Akpa, who confirmed the development, said two policemen attached to the command lost their lives in the attack. He also confirmed the killing of six of the attackers.
Meanwhile, the Speaker said the House would welcome any solution, including granting amnesty to terror sects in order to end the insurgency in the country.
Tambuwal was in Jos on Thursday to commiserate with the member representing Barakin Ladi/Riyom, Mr. Simon Mwadkon, who lost his son.
He said, “All of us are saddened by what is happening in Plateau State. As we were coming into the state, we were wondering what has become of a state once described  as home of peace and tourism. However we are not resting as we are working towards restoring peace to the state.
“All we plead is that every body should give peace a chance and work with security agencies in the state so that we will have peace
“I have said it before that we welcome any suggestion that will restore peace to the country and we will not rest until we achieve that.
Punch

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