Barkin Ladi and Mangu Local Government Areas of Plateau State have again been struck by gunmen and no fewer than 22 persons have been killed while others were reportedly injured in fresh attacks in villages there.
State Police command spokesman, DSP Alabo Alfred, confirmed the latest killings.
The killing in Mangu occurred in the evening, while in the villages of Kak, Ranyam, Nging, Lohala and Buka of Barkin Ladi LGA about 20 residents were killed in the night.
Said the police spokesman, “In Barkin Ladi, we got reports that about 15 people lost their lives yesterday and today, another five have been buried which makes the total number to be 20. In Mangu, two people were killed while one other was injured. What happened in Mangu was a problem among the citizens of the area.
“You know Plateau issue very well. It was almost about to be painted to religious or ethnic. But our men came into play and controlled the situation and restore normalcy in the area.
“The command is saddened with this information. We don’t want more deaths in Plateau. We are advising people to get the phone numbers of our DPOs and feed them with information around them. Let us do well to inform the police. We want to live in peace,” he added.
The State Governor, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, in a statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, expressed sadness over the attacks.
The Governor sympathised with the victims and their families, calling on security agents to remain neutral and refrain from meddling in local politics that is outside their purview.
He urged them to diligently execute their constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property in the state in order to put a stop to the wanton spilling of blood and burning of property.
A statement from his office said, “Governor Mutfwang reiterated the commitment of his administration to work with the existing security apparatus at the federal level, using multifaceted approaches to secure innocent communities who have been under invasion by the bandits.
“He saluted the gallantry of some of the officers and men of various security agencies who have made sufficient sacrifices in curbing the spate of attacks and encouraged them to put in more effort to halt the ugly trend.
“While commiserating with the families of the deceased, Governor Mutfwang reassured Plateau citizens of his commitment to addressing their plights, particularly the issues of insecurity so as to bequeath the requisite development and progress the state is yearning for.”