Tragedy has struck Rachas village in Heipang District and Rawuru village in Fan District in the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, as 13 people have been confirmed killed in separate attacks in the two communities.
The Executive Chairman of Barkin Ladi Local Government Council, Hon Stephen Gyang Pwajok, who confirmed the killing, said the attacks, which occurred in the late hours of Tuesday, were “unprovoked and deeply regrettable.”
Speaking during the mass burial of the victims at Rachas village, the Chairman condemned the heinous act and expressed sympathy to the affected families and communities.
He said that the government remained committed to exploring all possible avenues to restore and sustain peace in the area.
Similarly, the District Head of Heipang, Da Paul Tadi-Tok, decried the continued attacks on innocent villagers and called for decisive action to prevent a recurrence.
He urged authorities to restrict herders from grazing in communities where Fulani are not resident, saying such measures would help reduce friction and prevent infiltration by attackers posing as herders.
The traditional ruler further called for revitalising and strengthening Operation Rainbow, the state-owned community security outfit, to enable it to respond promptly to distressed situations in rural communities.
Meanwhile, Brigadier General Shippi Gakji Goshwe (Rtd.), the security adviser to Governor Caleb Mutfwang and coordinator of Operation Rainbow, reaffirmed the Plateau State Government’s commitment to improving community-based security operations.
He disclosed that Operation Rainbow is currently undergoing a recruitment process and that new personnel would be trained and equipped to support conventional security agencies in tackling attacks across the state.
Meanwhile, the President of the Berom Youth Movement (BYM), Barr Solomon Nwantiri, condemned the attacks and echoed calls for the restriction of cattle grazing in non-Fulani communities.
He questioned the recurring justification of alleged cattle rustling as a reason for killing innocent people.
The fresh attacks in Barkin Ladi come amid growing calls from residents and leaders for decisive and impartial security intervention to halt the persistent killings in rural communities across Plateau State.
