“Nobody is acting to protect us. We are being killed on a daily basis by herdsmen and nobody is doing anything to stop the killings.”
Gyang Bere, Jos
No fewer than 18 persons were killed on Wednesday night during renewed attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Ariri village, Miango District of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State. Daily Sun gathered that a family of eight was wiped out in the attack and four others inflicted with gunshot injuries when the attackers stormed the village while the villagers were asleep.
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One of the villagers, Lawrence Ishaku, confirmed the incident and said eight people were killed in one house and 10 others in different houses. He said those injured were receiving treatment at Enos Hospital, Miango.
He said: “Gunmen attacked Ariri village yesterday in Bassa Local Government Area and killed 18. Eight of the deceased persons were members of one family while 10 were from different houses and four persons were badly injured.
“The dead bodies have been given mass burial while there is tension in the community. We are neglected by government and security agencies; nobody is acting to protect us. We are being killed on a daily basis by herdsmen and nobody is doing anything to stop the killings.
“We are always in a security meetings without result and no arrest has been made. Now Ariri is displaced, this is too bad and evil genocide going on in a democratic era.
“We are pleading and calling on Amnesty International and International Committee of the Red Cross to, please, come to our aid; we need their help. We are losing hope in the government.”
He noted that people were being killed in the community by Fulani herdsmen even when the community was under a curfew: “I want government and security agencies to take proactive steps and stop the incessant killings.”
The Plateau State police public relations officer, DSP Matthias Terna Tyopev, confirmed the attack. He added that the police commissioner would be going to the village after which he would confirm the casualty figure.