Atleast not Less than 20 Killed and thousands displaced in Jos Attack

Many Killed In Fresh Plateau State Attack

At least 19 people were killed and 30 houses razed in a fresh attack by gunmen who stormed a local community in Nigeria's central state of Plateau, residents said Thursday.....

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NATIONAL MIRROR

No fewer than 19 people were feared dead and 5,000 others displaced in a fresh attack by gunmen in Plateau State, National Mirror learnt yesterday.

It was gather that the attack took place in Kadunung village of Mangu Local Government Area of the state.
Our correspondent further gathered that the gunmen numbering over 100 had in the early hours of yesterday morning, invaded the village, killing people and injuring several others.

However, there are accusations that Berom youths were behind the action, as they also set houses ablaze in the process.

Chairman, Management Committee of Mangu Local Government, Titus Bise, who confirmed the attack, said over150 houses were burnt by the attackers.

Bise said: “After the attack, I was part of the rescue team that evacuated the victims and so far we have recovered 11 bodies of people burnt in their houses.

“Apart from the 11 bodies we picked from various places, there is a compound we saw seven people burnt in their rooms. That makes 18 deaths so far, we are suspecting there are bodies in the bushes, some youths are still searching and more bodies might be recovered. But for now, we have dead bodies that have been buried already.

“The attack has created serious humanitarian problems for government, we are talking of 5,000 residence of the village displaced, their houses were burnt by the attackers.

“Though members of the communities are alleging that the gunmen are their Berom neighbors, but that will be subject to confirmation after full investigation, I’m not in the position to confirm that for now.

The federal troops in charge of Plateau State known as ‘Operation Safe Haven’ has described the attack as reprisal which was allegedly carried out by Berom following an earlier attack on Berom community.

Media officer of Operation Safe Haven, Captain Ikedichi Iweha said, “It’s true there was an attack on Kadunung village, houses were burnt, residents were displaced.

He said: “The troop got the information very late, but we have taken over the general areas in search of the gunmen. We can’t confirm if the attackers are Berom because we are yet to arrest anyone. We will discover the real attackers after our investigation.

Bise, however, appealed to government agencies at federal and state level to come to the aid of victims because of their large numbers. All the villagers have fled their homes to safe grounds.

“More than 5,000 may have been displaced, report reaching me from Bauchi is that 1,000 displaced people are already taking refuge in parts of Bauchi State, the neighboring villages are having more displaced people than they can cater for.

“The situation of the displaced is worse because rain season is at its peak, most of the displaced are in open rain, that alone can increase the casualties if nothing is done fast. I appreciate the security agencies; they are all over the village as well as surroundings” But leader of the Berom vigilante group in Barkin Ladi Mr. Pam Bot denied the allegation, saying the Berom can never attack its neighbour in this manner.

Bot said: “This kind of attacks is that of the Fulani militias who are lurking around the boundary between Barkin Ladi and Mangu. I have received report that some of the gunmen lost their lives in this particular attack; this is a confirmation that the attackers are Fulanis, not Berom.

“The entire Berom community is in sympathy with families who lost their loved ones in the attack,” said Bot.

By geocklyn