Fresh Attack Claims 29 In Plateau

A fresh attack by unknown gunmen in Barkin Ladi Local Government area of Plateau State has claimed 29 lives, most of them Berom. The attack came four days after a similar one in Fan district of the same local government area. Thirteen women and children were killed in that incident. A total of 163 have been killed in similar circumstances in the state over the last two months.

A vigilance group leader in the area, Julius Bala, said that 29 bodies were picked after the latest attack. Seventeen other residents were wounded, he said. The State Police Command said it established a joint security committee comprising community leaders, police, SSS, and the Special Task Force among others for the purpose of intelligence gathering aimed at checking the killings. Residents said that the gunmen came in large numbers at about 2.30am yesterday.

Interim chairman of Barkin Ladi local government, Habila Dung, confirmed the attack but said he was not sure of the numbers of people killed. The Plateau State command of the Nigeria Police confirmed the attack but declined comment on the casualties. But a non- governmental organisation known as Stephanos Foundation working on peace building in the state said 29 people were killed during the attack in the two villages. The STF is yet to issue statement on the attack, they promised to do that after investigation