Gunmen Kill 20 In Fresh Plateau Attack

Four villages were attacked in Riyom local government, Gwon, Gwarama, Gwarim and Torok all in Rim district. While one village, Gida Bua, was attacked in Langtang South local government of Plateau state. I6 persons were allegedly burned to death and 200 homes razed in the attack in Riyom LGA. While four people were said to have lost their lives in the Langtang South attack.

A 65 old man, Habila Dachung who lost his aged wife in the attack in Riyom alleged that fulani herdsmen and soldiers of the special task force on Jos, are the prime suspects in the attack. “I saw them in military uniform” he said “These armed Fulanis, accompanied by Soilders stormed our village to kill our people just like that, their gun woke us from sleep at about 2:30am.”

Majority leader of the Plateau State House of Assembly and member representing Riyom constituency confirmed the attack. He said the victims are mostly women and children.

Hon Dem said, “I also believe the Special Task force deployed to restore law and order are also involved in the killings taking place in the communities, if not, most of the Villages were attacked in the presence of men of the STF based in those villages, why are they not going after the attackers if they are not involved in the attack” The villagers have renewed their call on the federal government for the withdrawal of the military troops from the entire state. They believed the government soldiers are the real enemies.

The Plateau State Police Command has confirmed the attack but decline comment on the casualty figures. However, the special task force (STF) on Jos crisis code named ‘Operation Safe Heaven’ has refused to comment on recent attacks in the state since January this year when attacks became frequent and widespread. Commander of the STF Major General David Enetie was alleged to have closed the media office of the task force where newsmen go to confirm facts on such attacks.

The task force has kept sealed lips in spite of all allegations against men of the force. The soldiers have been widely accused of facilitating most of the attacks in which over 80 people were killed in the last two months.