Gunmen Kill 20 In Plateau Attacks

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Monday, May 24th, 2021

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – No fewer than 20 people have been killed and many others injured when suspected herdsmen attacked communities in three local government areas of Plateau State.

Some residents in the affected communities confirmed the attacks and the casualties to reporters.

Eyewitnesses said the bandits invaded the three communities of Kwi, in Riyom Local Government; Kadarko in Wase, Local Government and Dong in Jos Local Government areas of Plateau and started shooting sporadically, killing innocent residents.

They were said to have killed seven at Dong, six in Kadardo and seven in Kwi in three separate attacks in the communities.

These attacks came few days after acting Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, alerted of intelligence reports that terrorists were planning to attack Abuja and Plateau state.

Plateau Police spokesman ASP Gabriel Ubah, confirmed the Dong attack.

He said: “On Sunday 23/05/2021 at about 2000hrs, the Command received a distress call that yet to be identified gunmen came out suddenly from a nearby bush, invaded Dong Village, Jos South LGA and killed seven persons.

“A combined team of Policemen, STF, Vigilante operatives led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Operation, raced swiftly to the scene but the hoodlums had already fled back into the bush.

“Investigation is ongoing, frantic effort is on to arrest the fleeing suspects.”

He was yet to confirm the other attacks and casualties.

Governor Simon Lalong frowned at the killings and mandated security agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Lalong said: “It is deeply saddened by the reoccurrence of violence in parts of Dong Kasa in Jos North Local Government Area and Kwi in Riyom on Sunday night where innocent citizens including children and women were murdered in cold blood.”

Commissioner of Information and Communication Dan Manjang in a statement described the act as barbaric, callous and a desperate attempt to rupture the peace and security of the State.