At least 27 farmers, including men and women, have tragically lost their lives in a recent attack by gunmen in Bindi-Jebbu, a village within the Tahoss community in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The villagers reported that the attack, which occurred on Monday, resulted in numerous injuries, with several individuals rushed to hospitals, including Jos University Teaching Hospital and Plateau Hospital.
Bature Shuwa, the chairman of Riyom Local Government Area, acknowledged the incident but was unable to provide the exact casualty figure at the time of the press conference, as he was en route to the affected community.
Dalyop Solomon, the National President of Berom Youth Moulders Association, also confirmed the killings to PUNCH Online.
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According to Solomon, the gunmen, suspected to be members of the Fulani ethnic group, stormed the community, engaging in sporadic shooting and setting several houses ablaze.
Solomon provided a grim update, stating that 27 individuals had lost their lives, while many others sustained injuries. He mentioned that the bodies of the deceased had been taken to various hospitals for medical attention before being prepared for burial.
Security agencies, including Operation Safe Haven and the state police command, have yet to issue any statement regarding the ongoing situation.
When contacted, the spokespersons of Operation Safe Haven and the Plateau police command, Major Samson Zhakom and DSP Alabo Alfred, failed to respond to our correspondent’s text messages sent at press time.
This incident, once again, underscores the security challenges in Plateau State, where communities have been repeatedly targeted by armed groups in recent times.
The incident has sparked widespread concern and outrage, prompting many to demand increased security measures to safeguard the lives and property of citizens.
In response to the security challenge, the Plateau state government had recently recruited 150 new agro-rangers.
