Mutfwang Charges Security to Go After Bandits as Gunmen Kill Another Eight in Plateau

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

No fewer than eight persons were at the weekend killed by gunmen in a fresh attack on Kak, Ranyam, Nging, Lohala, and Buka communities of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, forcing Governor Caleb Mutfwang of the state to charge security agents to immediately go after the bandits, and deploying more personnel to the rural areas.

A youth leader in Jos, Mr. Solomon Dalyop, who confirmed the killings said, “So far, we have confirmed that eight persons have been killed in the attack. What we don’t understand is that before the attack took place in the night, some soldiers had visited the communities in the afternoon.

“We are surprised that the assailants carried out the attacks successfully without being apprehended by the soldiers and the security agents, who are within the community. I, therefore, call for an investigation into the activities of the personnel of the military taskforce deployed to maintain peace in Plateau communities.”
He lamented that a total of 276 persons had been killed in different communities in the past month following the persistent attacks with over 30,000 persons now being displaced.

But the governor, in a statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Mr. Gyang Bere, condemned the attacks, urging the security agencies to be more diligent in their responsibility of protecting the people.

He called for the redeployment of more personnel to the communities that are under attack to prevent further destruction of lives and properties and reassured the people of his commitment to addressing their plights, particularly the issues of insecurity.