Unidentified Assailants Kill 17, Burn 58 Buildings In North-central Nigeria State
The Police Commissioner in Plateau State has confirmed the killing of 17 people and burning of 85 buildings during an attack on two local governments in the state over the weekend.
At least 17 persons were killed and 85 houses were burnt in recent attacks in two local government areas (LGAs) in Plateau State, North-central Nigeria.
Edward Egbuka, the state’s Commissioner of Police, told journalists in a press briefing that the attacks took place in Bassa and Riyom LGAs.
Egbuka disclosed that there were attacks in Jebbu Miango, Bassa LGA where five persons lost their lives on July 31, and Tambora, Riyom LGA where 12 persons were killed on Aug. 1.
But he was silent about those behind the attacks.
“There were attacks specifically at Jebbu Miango on Saturday night, July 31 in which five people were killed and about 85 buildings burnt,” he said.
“The next morning, the attacks continued at Tambora in Riyom LGA where 12 people were killed and some houses destroyed.”
The police commissioner disclosed that among those slain during the attacks were some security personnel who were there to respond to the situation.
He said that Simon Lalong, Governor of Plateau State has given an order for security personnel in the state to ensure that the situation was brought under control and to fish out the attackers.
“His excellency (the governor) has read a riot act to us that we should move out and within two weeks bring to book all those that have perpetrated the attacks. This would be done,” he said.
He warned against any reprisal attack saying as according to him, “instigators would not be spared.”
“Human life is sacrosanct, nobody can take it at will. There is a government on ground and lawlessness would not be accepted.”
Plateau is one of the states in the North-central region witnessing incessant cases of communal violence over grazing lands and water resources.
The ethno-religious conflicts are majorly between nomadic herders mostly of the Hausa/Fulani ethnic group and other indigenes over claims of ownership and access to resources.
More than 7,000 have been killed in the state since late 2001, when the first major riot broke out in Jos, the state capital.
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