Gunmen have launched a fresh attack in the Rawuru community of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Plateau state, resulting in the loss of at least eight lives on Friday night.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that Solomon Dalyop, a youth leader in the community, confirmed the killings on Saturday.
Dalyop revealed, “So far, we have confirmed that eight persons were killed during the attack last night in Rawuru community in Barkin LGA. What we don’t understand is that before the attack took place, some soldiers came to the village in the afternoon. We also saw them in the night.”
Dalyop questioned the perplexing turn of events, stating, “And yet, the villagers were attacked, leading to the killing of the victims who were in their homes. How come the assailants will carry out the attacks successfully without being apprehended by the soldiers and the security agents who are also within the community?”
Jerry Datim, another community leader and president of the Global Society for Middle Belt Heritage, expressed his concerns about the recurring attacks, urging an investigation into the activities of the Military Taskforce deployed to maintain peace in Plateau communities.
Datim emphasised the severity of the situation, noting, “A total of 276 persons had been killed in different communities in the past month following the persistent attacks, with over 30,000 displaced. We have the Mass grave sites where deceased bodies were buried for those that care to go round and see for themselves.”
Drawing attention to the plight of the affected individuals, Datim continued, “Thirty thousand (30,000) IDPs were scattered in Mangu, Panyam, Mangu Halle, Yilpo (Sabon Gari) Fan in Barkin Ladi, Maikatako in Bokkos, Marish in Bokkos, Bukuru in Jos-South, and a lot in Jos North LGAs of Plateau State.”
Expressing disappointment with the response from authorities, Datim remarked, “We also want to bring to your notice that our children, both at primary and secondary schools, and some students of tertiary institutions in the affected Local Governments, have missed their examinations.”
The group urged the Special Taskforce deployed by the military to improve their efforts in safeguarding the lives of the people. They further appealed to the federal government to dismantle all military checkpoints in the state and replace them with mobile police units for enhanced operational effectiveness.
Moreover, the group demanded the immediate return of the displaced individuals to their ancestral lands, emphasising the responsibility of the federal government to ensure their welfare and security. They issued a stern warning, stating, “While waiting for the vacation of the Fulani from our ancestral lands, any subsequent attack on any community henceforth, the Leaders of the Fulani should be held responsible for harbouring the assailants.”
This newspaper learnt that attempts to reach the spokesperson for the Police Command in the state, Alabo Alfred, proved futile.
