Less than 24 hours after the Police confirmed that 11 persons were killed in a community in Plateau State, there have been reported killings in the State this Tuesday. This time, it is the sleepy community of Gana Ropp in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, leaving many wondering whether there is a government in place.
No figure has been put up officially or unofficially, but the earlier attack where 11 were said to have been killed and 12 injured on Sunday night took place at Lopandet Dwei community in Du District of Jos South Local Government Area.
There are photos of the dead strewn across the roads in Gana Roop, even as soldiers are said to have arrived the area, and calm restored in the midst of fear and apprehension.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing gunshots from alleged Fulani militia men, notorious for mindless bloodshed, barely discriminating whether it is women and children that are shot, maimed, or killed.
It is not exactly known what precipitated this new round of killings in Barkin Ladi and Jos South Local Government Areas, shortly after last June’s rage of killings that left over 200 dead; but Fulani militia are known for unbridled and vengeful attacks when they lose cattle or kinsmen.
On Sunday night’s attack, Police spokesman, DSP Terna Tyopev, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Jos,
“Yesterday at about 8:30.p.m, we received a distress call that gunmen attacked Lopandet Dwei Du area of Jos South Local Government Area of the state.
“We immediately mobilised to the scene. On arrival, we discovered that some people were already shot.
“We immediately rushed the victims to Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and Plateau Specialist Hospital.
“Doctors at both hospitals confirmed the death of 11 persons while 12 others who are badly wounded were being treated at the hospitals, ” he said.
Mr Tyopev said armed security personnel were deployed to the area to forestall further attacks and break down of law and order.
He said investigation was ongoing to arrest the perpetrators of the heinous crime.
The spokesperson appealed to residents of the area to remain calm and law-abiding, assuring that security agencies were doing everything to secure lives and properties.
Other sources reported seeing attackers in uniforms on motorbikes and vans stopping to shoot at anyone in sight.
Recall that last week a pastor, his wife, three kids were roasted, while six other persons were also killed by suspected herdsmen in some communities of Foron District of Barkin Ladi LGA.