GUNMEN have attacked two villages in Plateau State and killed no fewer than 20 persons.
The killings, it was gathered, occurred on Monday night around 9pm.
The affected villages were Kubwat and Fungzai in the Mangu Local Government Area of the state.
A resident of Fungzai community who witnessed the attacks, John Yakubu, confirmed the attacks to this newspaper in Jos on Tuesday.
Yakubu said that in Fungzai community alone, the gunmen killed 15 persons including the wife of his younger brother and her children while a total of 29 corpses had been recovered
Yakubu said, “It was last night, the gunmen arrived in large numbers and started shooting. The panicky villagers started running but unknown to them, other gunmen laid ambush and shot at those trying to run away. As I’m talking to you, I am in Fungzai village. The attackers killed 15 persons here(Fungzai) including the wife and children of my younger brother last night.
“They also attacked Kubwat, a neighbouring village. So far, we have recovered a total of 29 corpses including women and children. We are in pain.”
The spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred did not pick up his calls when contacted on the incident but security sources said that operatives had been deployed to the affected villages.
Governor Simon Lalong, in a statement on Tuesday, expressed worry over the attacks.
While condemning the killings, the statement signed by the Governor’s Director of Press and Public Affairs, Macham Makut, said.”
Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong, woke up Tuesday May 16, 2023 to distressing news of an overnight attack on Kubat Village in Mangu Local Government Area where some persons, including women and children were reportedly killed.
“Governor Lalong who is seriously disturbed about the sad development has immediately directed security forces to pursue the attackers and ensure they are arrested.
“He describes this as yet another attempt by crisis merchants and criminals to return the State to the dark days of pain and agony, vowing that the Government will stop at nothing to ensure that those behind this scheme are dealt with mercilessly.
“While condemning the act, the Governor commiserates with the victims and assures that the murderers will not be allowed to go unpunished as this is an act that can neither be tolerated nor excused no matter the motivation.
“The Governor has equally directed the State Emergency Management Agency and the Peace Building Agency to visit the area and ascertain the humanitarian need to bring succour to the affected while a thorough investigation is being carried out.”