At least 14 persons have been confirmed killed and 7 injured in fresh attack by suspected Fulani herdsmen on Sunday night at kushe village in Kuru District of Jos South Local Government and Zogu Village of Basa Local Government of Plateau State.
CAPITAL POST gathered that the killing took place at about 9:3pm when suspected Fulani herdsmen storm the two communities on Sunday night and shot 14 persons.
The suspected Fulani herdsmen killed 12 persons and five injured in Kushe village of kuru District of Jos South Local Government and later invaded the neighboring Zogu village of Bassa Local government and killed two persons while left two injured
Among 14 casualties include three women 11 men while seven persons survived the attack with gunshots injuries.
It was learned that most of the victims were taken unaware as many were returning home while some were in their sleep.
The Senator representing Plateau North in the National Assembly and Deputy Chairman Senate Committee on Defense Sen. Istifanus Gyang condemned the attack and lamented the continued killing, saying despite all efforts to make residents live in peace, some enemies of the zone are still bent of causing mayhem.
Gyang insisted that security agencies must always be proactive and decisive in confronting insecurity since citizens have handed over that responsibility to both government and security as the dereliction of such duties would amount to more agitation.
He stressed, “We must avoid the situation of state capture by a few, if not we will continue to have agitations. How can people be for Nigeria when Nigeria does not care for them?”
Member representing Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Dachung Musa Bagos wept when he sighted the corpses littered the community.
“We are tired over the continued killings in my constituency without any help, government must rise up to its responsibility of protecting lives and property.
“I therefore, urge my people to defend themselves because government has failed in their responsibility of defending the people.
“This is why we have been clamouring for state police, because with such arrangements, insecurity will drastically reduce.
“I don’t know if government is waiting for this to happen to public figures before it beefs up security in our communities.’’
Bagos who is also the Deputy Chairman of House Committee on Anti corruption called on security agencies to intensify efforts at safeguarding the lives and property of the people.
He also called on the people to be patient and be law-abiding, and not to embark on reprisal attacks.
“I am pleading with the people to be patient and be law-abiding.
“We will continue to emphasise the need for restructuring of the security architecture that will address our current national security challenges.
The Traditional Ruler of Kuru, Gwom Rwei His Royal Highness Da Patrick Mandung who confirmed the incident said it occurred on Sunday night.
He said the killers who invaded the community moved from house to house shooting at the people.
Mandung, who described the incident as unfortunate, called on governments and security agencies to intensify efforts at securing the people.
“This is a very unfortunate situation; that 12 persons were murdered in cold blood for no reason.This is sad and disheartening; I condemn it in totality.
“I call on government to be intentional and proactive in ensuring the safety of citizens.
“Security agencies must fish out the killers of my people and do all within their constitutional powers to put an end to this cycle of killings,’’ he said.
The Chairman of Jos South Local Government Area, Hon. Gideon Davou who was also at the scene, appealed to the people to remain calm and not to take laws into their hands.
He said government would do everything within its reach to ensure the safety of lives and property of the people at all times.
When contacted, police spokesman in Plateau, ASP Ubah Ogaba, confirmed the incident.
“More security personnel have been deployed to the area to prevent further attacks on the Community and investigation into the crime is ongoing.”
