Houses burnt and 3 killed in fresh plateau attack

Gunmen attacked communities in Riyom and Barkinladi Local Government Areas in the early hours of Thursday, residents have said.

Two people were reportedly killed in Riyom, while scores of houses were reportedly set ablaze in Rakwak and Rantis community in Barkinladi. One of the suspected attackers at Rakwak and Rantis was captured and burnt to death by members of the communities.

Meanwhile, Police Public Relation Officer, PPRO, Plateau State Command, Felicia Anslem, at the time of filing this report, denied any knowledge of the incidents.

“Such report has not come to our notice for now but I will find out,” she said.

Witnesses, however, said the incident occurred at about 11 p.m. on Wednesdaynight.

Speaking with journalists, a member representing Riyom at the State House of Assembly, Daniel Dem, whose community was attacked, described the attack as inhumane. Mr. Dem, who said that he visited Riyom, lamented that no arrests had been made.

The interim administrator of Barkinladi Local Government, Habila Dung, visited Rakwak and Rantis and disclosed that the attackers stole the community’s farm produce.

Mr. Dung said the attack was the second in one week.

A victim from Rakwak and Rantis, who pleaded anonymity for security reason, told PREMIUM TIMES that the community received a threat letter without address from suspected gunmen and reported the matter to security agents; but no action was taken.

“From the very day our children came back with a letter they said they picked at a junction leading to our village, we have been having sleepless nights; that was why most families relocated to other villages that seemed better protected. Our elders reported to security agents yet we were attacked yesterday,” he said.

The attacks occur barely 48 hours after local government elections in the state. The elections were not held in Jos North and Wase based on the security situation there.

Source: Premium Times

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