Residents Of Invaded Plateau Council Areas Flee Homes For Safety

From Agabus Pwanagba, Jos – Following allegations of invasion by men of the Special Task Force (STF) responsible for the maintenance of peace in Plateau State, thousands of residents have fled their homes in Maraban Foron of Barkin Ladi LGA of the State.

A source who spoke to our Correspondent and did not want his name in print, alleged that “some soldiers suspected to be members of the STF invaded our communities and started breaking homes , beating up members of the communities and terrorizing people with gun shots”.

Our source lamented: “As I speak, most of our villagers have fled to neighbouring communities because of how the men of the STF has terrorized us, we cannot continue to remain and get tortured by the military.

“As I speak to you now most of my relatives have relocated to Kuru, the state government has to intervene. He added.

Another resident of the community, Goje Solomon, said he wondered why only their communities were being searched and not that of the Fulanis, adding that it was victimization.

It would be recalled four persons were killed in a clash involving some Fulani herdsmen and natives of Foron.

Our Correspondent also gathered that three soldiers were allegedly injured in the clash.

Samson Tsok who is the Acting National Chairman of Berom Youth Moulders (BYM) said, “One Berom village, Foron was attacked by unknown gunmen suspected to be Fulani last Tuesday night, two of our boys were killed in the attack and four people are still missing”.

He disclosed further: “Early this morning, some soldiers of the special task force (STF) stormed the village without notice, we were embarrassed and feel under siege.

“The soldiers came to ransack our village without informing our community leaders and youth leaders were not informed of the search, we don’t even know what they are searching for, they came in company of some Fulani people who were pointing at the house to raid, they just burst into any house and started searching.

“At the end of the so-called search, they did not tell us if they found anything”.

It would be recalled that following heightened tension in Barkin Ladi and Riyom LGAs of the State, Governor Simon Lalong recently declared a dusk to dawn curfew in the affected councils.