From Ron-Well Jacob, Jos
Four persons including a 14 year-old boy were feared killed by unknown gunmen suspected to be herdsmen in a fresh attack on Kantoma village in Mangu Local Government of Plateau State.
The attack, reportedly launched on the villagers in the early hours of Sunday, according to a source in the village, left six persons dead while a Baptist Church and few houses including the Pastorate burnt down, killing the clergyman’s 14 year-old son in it.
Mr Joshua Mape, Natioanl President of Mwaghavul Development Association (MDA) told everyday.ng that the attackers took the village by surprise as they were sleeping when the attack was launched on them.
“These attacks and killings of our people in Mangu by those enemies of progress is becoming too many and alarming.
“I was called early this morning and was told that Fulani herdsmen launched an attack on our people at Kantoma early morning of Sunday, July 1 while they were sleeping.
“The attackers burnt down a church, Baptist Church, to be précise and the Pastorate in which the pastor’s 14 year-old son was burnt to ashes in the raging fire, ’’ the MDA National president lamented.
Mape called on the federal government as a matter of urgency to station Mobile barracks in all flash points and areas attacked by the herdsmen to prevent them from taking over the settlements and lands of the victims.
According to him, “the game plan of the attackers is to attack, send away the occupants and occupy the place and this must not be allowed by the government else it shall be suspect.’’
Responding in a press statement, Major Umar Adams, Spokesman of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) keeping the peace on the Plateau confirmed the incident but that “only four persons were killed by unknown bandits.
Adams said that a distress call came to his men stationed at Dorowa Babuja in Barkin Ladi Local Government that there was an attack on Kantoma Village in Mangu LGA.
“But before our men could get to the scene the attackers had completed their dastardly act and left leaving behind four dead persons.
“Consequently, the Commander of OPSH, Maj.- Gen. Anthony Atologbe, has ordered the relocation of OPSH Operations to Barkin Ladi Local Government with him relocating with all his principal officers at the epicenter of the renewed attacks, ’’ he stated.
According to him, the commander would personally be coordinating the day to day activities of the operation from the new operational headquarters.