Three Killed in Plateau as Fulani Ambush Villagers

By Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

Three persons were Saturday ambushed and killed in Zangwra community of Miango district of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, in what residents say is yet another attack by herdsmen.

The three were said to have met their death while returning home on a motorcycle while two others escaped with injuries.

Those killed are Mr. John Esije, 32; Mr. Monday Nzwe, 38; and Mr. Saku Giyeri, 41yrs, while the survivors were identified as Mr. Sunday Bala, 33 and Mr. Gudu Gara, 25. They’ve been taken to an undisclosed hospital, a source said.

The National President of Irigwe Development Association (IDA), Mr. Sunday Abdu, disclosed this Sunday on phone.

According to Abdu, “Three people were killed yesterday (Saturday) night by Fulani herdsmen. One of the victims was riding a bike while the two others were walking on the road. This happened at Zangwra village near a checkpoint in Bassa Local Government area.”

He added that the Fulani have changed their routine tactics of killing their people on the farms, saying that what now obtains was that victims are ambushed along their ways.

Abdu recalled that three weeks ago, three people were also killed on Miango Road and their bodies burnt to ashes. He explained that the Fulani shot at the vehicle conveying the three people and the vehicle skidded off the road because the driver of the vehicle was shot in the neck and spontaneously collapsed and died instantly.

He considered the actions of the Fulani gunmen as very unfair because “this is a road where people use to travel to other places including Abuja. How do you want them to travel? Which other road do you want them to use when they want to travel? Something has to be done by the government and security operatives urgently to arrest the unpalatable situation.”

Also speaking to journalists, the District Head of Miango, Mr. Daniel Chega, regretted that the attack came shortly after a series of security meetings and agreements with security agencies and the Fulani leaders aimed at ending the killings.

Residents of the area had reportedly staged a protest against the killings but were calmed down by the village chief.

The spokesman of the Special Task Force (STF) code-named Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Major Adam Umar, who confirmed the killing Sunday, said the attack by the unknown gunmen at a community in Jebbu Bassa was responsible for the killings.

Umar said that immediately they got information that there was an attack, they quickly mobilised their troops to the vicinity but unfortunately, the attackers had escaped before the arrival of their men. He added that patrols around the area were ongoing, stressing that the Commander of OPSH, Major-General Anthony Atolagbe, would convey a stakeholders’ meeting comprising the Fulani, the natives and other elders in the locality to resolve the protracted issues.

Related Articles