Twopersons were killed on Sunday night in an ambush by suspected Fulani
herdsmen in Ariri and Tafi-Gene villages of Jebu-Miango in Bassa Local
Government Area of Plateau State.
Daily Sun gathered that the incident
which occurred at about 9:30pm, also left one person badly injured and
several houses burnt.
Eyewitness said the attackers waylaid the three persons while they were returning to their various homes from a playing ground.
It was gathered that the deceased have been buried, while the injured person is currently receiving treatment at an hospital in Bassa.
The incident has forced inhabitants of the areas to flee for fear of the unknown.
Police Public Relations Officer, ASP
Tyopev Marthias Terna, who confirmed the incident said he was yet to
receive details of the fresh attack.
He revealed that investigation was
ongoing to track down criminal elements who had been killing innocent
citizens in the past one week in the council area of the state.
Chairman, Plateau Youth Council, Fabong
Jemchang Yildam, condemned the spate of attacks and blamed government
for its inability to address what he described as avoidable killings.
“The events of these days past on the
Plateau, particularly in Irigwe land, Bokkos and Riyom is yet another
demonstration of the failure of government in its primary
responsibility of securing lives and properties
“This carnage has continued unchecked and the impunity
is so palpable like never before. This further reinforces our belief
that our people had been marked for annihilation. Agreed, the
farmer/herder conflict represents an existential threat to our people,
yet there seems to be no agreed upon policy to curb this impending
doom.”
The youth group which confronted
government on alleged rumour making rounds that it had carved out land
in Barkin-Ladi, Riyom and Bokkos Local Government Areas for cattle
colonies said there was nothing like that.
“It is in this light that we wish to
call on all well meaning Plateau people especially our youths to ignore
all unfounded rumours and falsehood being peddled to the effect that
areas of the state have been earmarked for the creation of cattle
colonies, as they are not true.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Plateau
State Youth Council is strongly opposed to the creation of grazing
reserves, grazing routes and cattle colonies in any part of Plateau
state.
“We are in support of multilevel
dialogues with wide ranging critical stakeholders with a view to evolve a
robust homegrown ranching policy that will serve as a panacea for the
ultimate prohibition of open cattle grazing in the state.”