Police Confirm Attackers Rustled Cattle, Killed 8 in Foron

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Yakubu Busari

 

The Nigeria Police Force on Wednesday confirmed the  attack in parts of Foron district of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State and killing of eight people as well as wounding three others before its men could intervene.

 

The Plateau State Police Command, Jos in a statement said it received information that Abonong and Zayit villages were under attack by ‘unknown gunmen’ and ‘quickly’ mobilised to the scene but the attackers had fled.

 

The attackers according to the statement by the Plateau State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Tyopev Terna looted foodstuff and other valuables in addition to the rustling of 310 cattle belonging to the locals.

 

“As a result of the attack, Eight (8) persons lost their lives, three (3) people were injured, ninety five (95) houses were burnt down and three hundred and ten (310) Cattle were stolen.

 

“Property and food stuff  were looted and destroyed,” the statement said.

 

The Police Command has deployed more personnel to the areas to prevent further attacks, it said.

 

Visiting the villages at about 1pm yesterday however, no security presence was noticed except the hovering surveillance helicopter of the Special Task Force, Jos.

 

The Berom Youth Movement Chairman of Foron, Mr. Thomas Tsok confirmed that security patrol vans and an armoured vehicle arrived the villages at about 12am after the attack but left at day break when burial for the victims was to commence.

 

Local youths according to him who were keeping vigilance at the entry points to the villages to guarantee security for the mourners were shot at by the government Forces, with three critically wounded.

 

Six other youths were said to have been killed by the Mobile Police Forces who reportedly evacuated the attacked villages and moved to guard a nearby Fulani settlement called Fusa village at the boundaries of Jos East and B/Ladi LGAs.

 

The attackers were said to have come from the village and were still firing shots, attempting to attack mourners during the mass burial in Abonong village.

 

The slain youths were said to have advanced to prevent them from reaching the village when the troops sighted them and opened fire.

 

Officials have not confirmed these claims but the member representing Barkin Ladi/Riyom Federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Istifanus Gyang has accused government of complicity in handling the attacks.

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