According to a report by Saturday Punch, no less than three persons
were shot dead on Friday night in Zanwra area of Jebbu Miango, Bassa
Local Government Area of Plateau State by suspected Fulani herdsmen,
throwing the whole community into a fresh apprehension.
The killing took place barely three days after the peace and
security conference organised by the Plateau State Peace Building Agency
in collaboration with the United States Institute for Peace, Justice,
and Security and financed by US Embassy in Nigeria.
The conference had as its theme: “The resurgence of violence in Plateau State: Towards a multi-stakeholder partnership for peace and security.”
While one expended shell of 7.62mm ammunition was recovered at the
scene of the incident, the victims were said to have been buried by
their relations according to the tradition of Irigwe ethnic group.
The attackers were said to have struck at 8pm, a few hours after
the visit of the new Commander of Special Military Taskforce codenamed
‘Operation Safe Haven’, Maj. Gen. Augustine Agundu to the area.
The spokesperson for the Plateau State Police Command, Matthias
Tyopev, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, confirmed the killing on
Saturday, saying investigation had commenced.
He said, “Today, being Saturday, August 4 at 0745hrs, the
Nigeria Police Force, Plateau State Command, Jos received an information
that on August 3 at about 1830hrs, unknown armed men suspected to be
Fulani herdsmen attacked Zanwra area of Jebbu Miango, Bassa LGA. As a
result of the attack three persons were shot dead.
“They are; Emmanuel Gado ‘M’ aged 22, Ladi Monday ‘F’ age 30
and Mary Monday ‘F’ aged 5 years. Police detectives led by the
Divisional Crime Officer of Bassa Police Division mobilised to the scene
of crime. One expended shell of 7.62mm ammunition was recovered,
Photographs of the corpses were also taken.
“Meanwhile, the corpses were buried by relations according to
Irigwe rites. An investigation is in progress to track and arrest the
perpetrators to face justice. We also appeal to members of the public to
help with the needed information to unravel the mystery behind the
attack.”