By Saxone Akhaine (Kaduna) and Isa Abdulsalami Ahovi (Jos)
Fresh invasion of some communities in Mangu Local Council of Plateau State by armed men has led to the killing of unascertained number of persons in the area.
Sources from Murish village, which came under attack late Sunday night, said that several persons were killed in the community.
The source, who did not want his name in print, said gunmen stormed the community about midnight and started shooting sporadically and unascertained number of people lost their lives.
He added that several other persons sustained injury.
His words: “I can tell you that scores of persons were killed in the incident.”
Confirming the incident, Plateau State Peace Building Agency (PPBA) expressed sadness by the ugly turn of events in Mangu where reports indicate “deteriorating security situation in some parts of the locality that has led to the loss of human lives and properties.”
Director-General of PPBA, Joseph Lengmang, yesterday, lamented that the recent attack came on the heels of pockets of attacks recorded in some parts of Barkin Ladi and Jos North in the last few days.
He added that the attacks in Murish village, Bokkos Local Council and Jwak Mai Tumbi in Mangu were attempts to instil fear in the minds of the people, as the rainy season sets in.
Urging security operatives to go after the retrogressive elements to arrest the deteriorating security situation, it also called on the traditional institution in the affected communities, the elders, youth, women and community leaders to rise up to their responsibilities by prevailing on their subjects to toe the path of peace in resolving all issues of conflict through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms, rather than taking up arms that would only lead to a vicious cycle of internecine violence.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Alfred Alabo, confirmed the incident, adding that detailed information had not been given to him.
He said: “The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and the Area Commander are on top of the situation. As soon as they give us a detailed report, we will be able to say much on it.”
Worried by the resurgence of killings by terrorists in Benue, Taraba and Kaduna states, the Northern Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to take decisive action against perpetrators.
The Christian group warned that it would not accept the recent terrorist attacks and killings as a parting gift from Buhari.
NOSCEF, in a statement, yesterday, signed by its Chairman, Oyinehi Inalegwu, said: “NOSCEF is worried that the recent increasing wave of unchecked and persistent killings in Benue, Taraba and Southern Kaduna by bandits/ herdsmen is seeming like the parting gift of the Buhari administration to our people as it rounds off its eight-year rule.”
The group further expressed shock that “with the security architecture in place, wanton killings of such magnitude can be perpetuated without any counter from the security forces.”
It, therefore, called on the security forces to checkmate the ugly trend and go after those terrorising people and destroying citizens’ property.
“We also appeal to all Nigerians to pray for God’s intervention in bringing to an end the new wave of killings across the states,” the statement added.
Source: The Guardian