Gyang Bere, Jos
Two persons were ambushed and killed, on Sunday night, by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Ariri and Tafi-Gene villages of Jebu-Miango, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Daily Sun gathered that the incident which occurred at about 9:30pm, also left one person badly injured and several houses burnt.
Eyewitness said the attackers laid ambushed on the three persons while they were returning to their various homes from a playing ground.
It was gathered that the deceased had been buried while the injured person is currently receiving medical treatment at Enos hospital Bassa. People from the affected villages have fled for fear of the unknown.
Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Tyopev Marthias Terna confirmed the incident and said he is yet to received details of the fresh attack.
He revealed that investigation was ongoing to track down criminal elements who have been killing innocent citizens in the past one week in Bassa Local Government Area of the state.
Chairman, Plateau Youth Council, Fabong Jemchang Yildam, condemned the spate of attacks in Bokkos and Bassa Local Government Areas and blamed government’s inability to addressed the avoidable killings.
“The events of these days pasts on the Plateau particularly in Irigwe land, Bokkos and Riyom is yet again another demonstration of the failure of government in its primary responsibility of securing lives and properties.
“This carnage has continued unchecked and the impunity is so palpable like never before. This further reinforces our belief that our people had been marked for annihilation. Agreed the farmer/herder conflict represents an existential threat to our people, yet there seems to be no agreed upon policy to curb this impending doom.”
The youth group which confronted government on alleged rumour making round that Plateau State Government has curved land in Barkin-Ladi, Riyom and Bokkos Local Government Areas for cattle colonies said government has not made such pronouncement and urged youths in the state to disregard the rumour.
“It is in this light that we wish to call on all well meaning Plateau people especially our youths to ignore all unfounded rumours and falsehood being peddled to the effect that areas of the state have been earmarked for the creation of cattle colonies, as they are not true.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Plateau State Youth Council is strongly opposed to the creation of grazing reserves, grazing routes and cattle colonies in any part of Plateau state.
” We are in support of multilevel dialogues with wide ranging critical stakeholders with a view to evolve a robust homegrown ranching policy that will serve as a panacea for the ultimate prohibition of open cattle grazing in the state.”