The victims of the massacre (Photos: National Helm)
Photos of villagers killed by suspected herdsmen have emerged.
According to a Punch report, 18 persons were killed four others injured
four during the bloody attack that took place in Ariri community, Bassa
Local Government Area of Plateau on Wednesday.
Among the victims of the attack which took place at 11:30pm were
women and children. The latest attack came amidst condemnation of the
alleged militarisation and menace of fake soldiers in Jos metropolis.
On Tuesday night, 13 persons were feared killed by suspected herdsmen during a midnight attack on Riyom LGA.
An eyewitness, Yohana Yakubu, from Ariri village, Miango District
in an interview with THE PUNCH on Thursday in Jos, said the assailants
displaced many families, after shooting indiscriminately.
He said, “In all, 18 people were killed; the killers wore black
clothes, they were shouting Allah Akbar. They were speaking Hausa and
Fulani languages and after the attack, they fled. People were massacred
and we are now helpless.”
The spokesperson for Miango Youths Development Association,
Lawrence Zongo, also shed light on the attacks in a WhatsApp message to
THE PUNCH in Jos.
He said, “Again, Fulani gunmen have killed 18 people in Ariri
village of Miango District in Bassa LGA of Plateau State. Four persons
sustained serious injuries including the youth leader of Ariri who is
now receiving treatment in Enos Hospital Miango.
“The Fulani people have declared war on the Plateau. They are
achieving their plans through genocide attacks and killing of citizens.
We are always in security meetings which have not achieved results. No
investigation to arrest the criminals. Now Ariri village has been
displaced. This is too bad, this is an evil genocide going on in a
democratic dispensation.
“We are pleading, calling on Amnesty International, the global
community and Red Cross to please come to our aid. We need your help
and assistance.”
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Plateau State Police
Command, Matthias Tyopev, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said he
would get the details, speak with the Commissioner of Police, “and get back.
