Again, Gunmen Kill 12 In Plateau

Gunmen have again attacked the Tilengpat Pushit community in the Mangu local government area of Plateau State, killing twelve persons.

LEADERSHIP Weekend gathered that the attacks occurred late Thursday.

Last week, gunmen killed about ten persons in Mandung-Mushu and Kopnanle villages, in the Bokkos and Mangu local government areas of the state.

The attacks left several persons injured, with property, including the homes of the villagers, set ablaze.

The chairman of Mangu local government area, Markus Argue confirmed the latest killings to newsmen yesterday.

“Yes, it is true that our people have just been attacked again and killed. It happened last night. As I talk to you, I’m in the affected community in Pushit. I cannot give you the figure of victims for now because we are still assessing the situation but what we don’t understand is why some people will just target women and children in their homes and just kill them for no reason,” he said.

A reliable source in Pushit, however, told reporters that twelve dead bodies had so far been recovered at the scene of the attack and the nearby bush from the latest attack.

“So far, we have recovered twelve dead bodies of individuals who were brutally murdered during the attack in the Pushit community and their bodies recovered.

“The identities of the victims have not yet been disclosed, pending notification of their families. The Law enforcement agencies are also here and have initiated investigations into the matter to ascertain the motive behind these heinous crimes and to apprehend the perpetrators responsible for this reprehensible act,” he said.

The Plateau State Police Command spokesman, Alabo Alfred could not be immediately reached for comment on the incident but sources at the command headquarters in Jos said that security operatives had been deployed to the affected community

Meanwhile, women in Bokkos local government area have taken to the streets in protests over the renewed violent attacks by gunmen in their communities.