From Yakubu Busari,Jos
At least no fewer than 15 persons, mostly women and children ere on Sunday night killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Dong village in Jos North Local Government Council of Plateau state and Kwi Village in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
An eyewitness in Dong village disclosed this on Monday morning, saying that the assailants gained access to the village late on Sunday night and killed an entire family of six, including a cleaner, while two others were killed separately in Dong while the killing in Kwi village took place at 11 pm, involving the death of a family of seven
The member representing Riyom Constituency in the Plateau State House of Assembly Hon. Timothy Dantong confirmed the killing in Kwi village
He said the attack took place while the villagers were asleep. The lawmaker, who was on his way to the village, condemned the attack and described it as barbaric, and urged security agencies to arrest the criminals.
He expressed sadness that his constituents were persistently being killed by unknown gunmen, pointing out that Riyom had been suffering attacks since 2001.
Meanwhile the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the state’s Police Command, ASP Gabriel Ogaba confirmed the killing of seven persons in a statement on Monday morning in Jos.
According to him; “On Sunday 23/05/2021 at about 2000hrs, the Command received a distress call that yet to be identified gunmen came out suddenly from a near by bush, invaded Dong Village, Jos South LGA and killed seven persons.
“A combined team of Policemen, STF, Vigilante operatives, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations, raced swiftly to the scene but the hoodlums had already fled back into the bush.
“Investigation is ongoing, frantic effort is on to arrest the fleeing suspects. Meanwhile Security has been beefed up in that area to prevent escalation of violence
Management Committee Chairman of Jos North Local Government led by Shehu Bala Usman, has condemned in “strong terms the killing of innocent citizens by unknown persons in Dong village of Jos North last night.
While describing the gruesome murder as condemnable the Local Government Chairman described the unfortunate incident unacceptable and a setback on the peace process in Plateau State.
Usman called on the inhabitants of the area not to take the laws into their hands as security agencies were doing everything possible to bring the perpetrators of the dastardly act to book.
The Chairman also use this medium to extend his commiserations to the families of the bereaved and called for restrain and calm, according to Philip Eplong, Senior Information Officer Jos North Local Government, in a statement.
