Gunmen suspected to be Fulani militia have killed about 17 persons and injured many others during a midnight attack at Ancha Community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau state.
Gunmen Attack Plateau Community
It was gathered that the attackers invaded the community in large numbers and opened fire, killing the inhabitants and setting houses ablaze, forcing many to scamper to safety in the deadly attack.
A youth leader in the community, Nuhu Bitrus, who confirmed the killings on Wednesday, said the attack took place in the early hours of Wednesday and lasted for several houses.
He said, ”We have a disaster currently in one of our communities at Ncha. Some gunmen whom we know to be Fulani last night invaded the community and started shooting everywhere and killing anyone they see while setting people’s houses on fire.
“Right now, we have counted 17 dead bodies and six persons that were injured during the invasion which started around 2:30 am. The Ancha community is the same place that one person was killed just a few days ago by the same people.
“We don’t know what to do before Government and the security agents will see the need to protect our people from extermination which obviously is the intent of the attackers.”
Army Confirms Fresh Plateau Attack
The Military information officer, of Operation safe Haven, Major Ishaku Takwa, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday, said its troops are on the trail of the assailants.
He said: “In the late hours of Tuesday 11 January 2022, troops of OPERATION SAFE HAVEN received a distress call of an attack on Ancha Community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau.
“The troops responded swiftly and mobilised to the village. On reaching the community, the attackers had fled the village. Houses were destroyed and some villagers lost their lives during the attack.
“Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN are on the trail of the assailants and details of the pursuit would be made available later.
“The Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN Maj Gen IS Ali, while commiserating with the families of those who lost their lives during the attack has reiterated his resolve to ensure perpetrators of evil on the Plateau face the consequences of their dastard acts.”
Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong who expressed deep sadness over the attack, ordered security agencies to fish out the attackers at all costs.
Lalong said it was another sad tale in the unending cycle of violent attacks in the area, which has continued despite several measures taken by government.
The Governor asked all the security organs in the state to utilise intelligence available from survivors and other sources and ensure that the perpetrators are apprehended and exposed.
This comes a few weeks after no less than ten people were killed on Sunday when suspected bandits attacked Piano market in Plateau State.
