After weeks of respite, no fewer than five persons have been killed with two others injured by gunmen on Wednesday night in Puju village at Fan District of Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, tribuneOnline is reporting.
A source close to the village told TribuneOnline that the victims were ambushed by gunmen while returning from a birthday party in a neighbouring village adding that they were shot at close range and died immediately while two escaped with gunshot wounds.
The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Mathias Terna Tyopev who confirmed the attack on the phone said the five persons gunned in the attack were buried in the early hours of Thursday adding that two persons who sustained gunshot wounds are receiving treatment at Barkin-Ladi General Hospital.
“A group of people who were returning from a birthday party were attacked at Puju village in Fan District of Barkin-Ladi by gunmen and five persons were killed, and they were buried on Thursday morning. Two persons were injured and they are receiving treatment at General Hospital, Barkin-Ladi.”
He said an investigation has commenced to unravel those who carried out the dastardly act. He said they are to face the full wrath of the law.
In a related development, three persons were reportedly killed when gunmen attacked Mafeng Hotel in Gwol in Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area on Tuesday.
Former Secretary to the Government of Plateau State and Plateau North Senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon Rufus Bature condemned the attack and urged security agencies to fish out the perpetrators.
Hon Bature in a statement through the Media Director of his Campaign Organisation, Hon. Ayuba Pam appealed to the good people of Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area to remain calm and report any suspicious movement of strange persons in their localities to security agencies for prompt action.
He condoled the bereaved families and prayed to God to grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Bature sued for peace in Barkin-Ladi and the entire northern Senatorial District for development to strive.
