Lalong declares curfew as herdsmen kill two soldiers, two cops
Friday Olokor and Olaleye Aluko
Two soldiers, two mobile policemen and
about 23 others were on Wednesday killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen
during a fierce battle at Dung Kasa, Rafiki and Dutse Kura communities
in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Two civilians were killed with houses razed and cars burnt during an attack
“Again and again the marauding Fulani
terrorists still again killed two soldiers, two mobile police officers.
The death toll is now two MOPOL, two soldiers and two civilians, making
it seven,” an eyewitness stated.
But the Nigerian Army, only confirmed the death of the two soldiers.
According to the Director, Army Public
Relations, Brig. Gen. Texas Chukwu, in a statement late on Wednesday,
seven suspects had been arrested, while a number of weapons were
recovered from them.
The army said 23 dead bodies were also
discovered in Mararaba Dare area as the herdsmen opened fire on the
troops’ convoy and the residents.
Chukwu said, “Troops of 3 Division
Garrison, Jos arrested seven suspects and recovered weapons in the clash
between Miango community and herdsmen at Rafiki village on Wednesday.
The troops responded to distress calls to the clash reported by locals.
“As troops moved in to settle the
dispute, the herdsmen opened fire on them. Two soldiers paid the
supreme price and seven suspects were arrested in connection with the
clashes.
“While conducting search, troops
discovered 23 dead bodies at Mararaba Dare shortly before Rafiki village
and many civilians were wounded. Two other soldiers wounded are
receiving medical attention at 3 Division Military Hospital and Medical
Services. They are stable.
“Weapons recovered include one Ak 47
assault rifle with 26 rounds of 7.62mm special and one locally made
single barrel loaded with 15 rounds. Troops have intensified patrol
within the general area to forestall further break down of law and
order.”
The PUNCH learnt that
immediately after the killing of the five security operatives and two
civilians, Governor Simon Lalong called an emergency security meeting
from where a decision was taken to impose dusk to dawn curfew.
The Secretary to the State Government,
Mr. Rufus Bature, in a statement after the meeting, said the state had
declared curfew in Bassa Local Government Area of the state after
consultation with security agencies.
He added that the curfew would be within 6pm and 6am daily.
The SSG called on the affected
communities to embrace peace, assuring them that efforts were on to
unravel the immediate and remote causes of the problem.
“Consequently, security agencies in area have been mandated to enforce the curfew.
“Law abiding citizens are advised go about their lawful businesses,’’ he said.
The President of the Miango Youths Development Association, Lawrence Zongo, had earlier announced the latest attacks in a WhatsApp message to The PUNCH on Wednesday.
He gave the names of those receiving
medical attention at the Enos Hospital as Danladi Rigye (35), Audu Ivy
(23), Sunday Friday (17), Weyi Ishaya (25), Bala Musa (26), Yakubu Davo
(25) and Jerry John (40).
Others are Timothy John (19), Abbah Audu (19), Sunday John (21), Daniel Audu (24) and Yakubu John (22).
Zongo said, “There was a fresh attack
this (Wednesday) around 6.30 am on Dung Kasa, Rafiki and Dutse
communities. Two persons have died; more than seven people have been
seriously injured by Fulani terrorists.
“One person is missing. Yet, the
Nigerian Army failed to arrest the Fulani terrorists but were busy
protecting them and asking our vigilantes what they have to offer them.
“This is getting too much as people in
Rafiki and Dutse Kura where there is a clash between the local
vigilantes and Fulani terrorists to protect the people within the
attacked areas. Since the Nigerian Army cannot protect us, we have to
protect ourselves.
“We appreciate the efforts of management
of Enos Hospital and Bingham University Teaching Hospital in Jos for
taking time in treating the injured once.”
Spokesperson for the Plateau State
Police Command, Matthias Tyopev, an Assistant Superintendent of Police,
confirmed the attack to one of our correspondents, but could not confirm
the casualty figure.
He said, “Yes, I got information this
(Wednesday) morning that there was an attack in the area. The
information is sketchy, but what I can tell you is that we have deployed
security personnel there. So, I am expecting feedback from the
Divisional Police Officer of Dung Kasa.”
However, the Plateau State Government is
considering the imposition of curfew in communities in Bassa and Bokkos
Local Government Area where suspected Fulani herdsmen have killed over
30 persons in recent times, The PUNCH learnt on Wednesday night.
But as of the time of this report, the commissioner had yet to “get back” to our correspondent.
The state Commissioner for Information
and Communication, Yakubu Dati, who stated this in an interview with one
of our correspondents, said the state was considering the idea.
Lalong later condemned the one week violence in Miango District of Bassa and Bokkos Local Government Areas.
While confirming that some arrests had
been made, he said the peace and stability in the state was being
threatened by evil forces determined to take the citizens back to the
gory moments of the past.
Lalong in his Radio and Television
broadcast to Plateau citizens on Wednesday night said government would
render necessary support for those “who sustained varying degrees of
injury” to overcome their losses and hurts.
He said, “My fellow citizens of Plateau
State, it is with a heavy heart that I address you at this very critical
moment: when the Peace and stability of our state is being threatened
by evil forces determined to take us back to the gory moments of the
past.
“Many of you must have heard of the
recent attacks in Miango District of Bassa and Bokkos Local Government
Areas respectively within the past one week. These series of systematic
attacks orchestrated by armed men have led to the destruction of
innocent lives and properties in these affected communities.
“As a responsible government that shares
in the plight of its citizens, we condemn in the strongest possible
terms the resurgence of violent attacks in some of our communities in
Bokkos and Bassa Local Government Areas.
“Let me on behalf of the good and peace
loving people of Plateau State commiserate with the families of those
who have lost their dear ones in these series of attacks.
“I pray for the repose of the souls that
were lost as a result of this renewed violence and also pray God to
assuage the anguish of their bereavement.
“Let me also assure you of the unwavering commitment of our Administration to deliver on the promise of peace and security.
“Although this emerging conflict trend
has affected our collective efforts to further consolidate the gains of
our post conflict peace-building process, however our commitment to
ensure the security of lives and property remains unshakable.
“As part of measures to in the interim
arrest the vicious cycle of violent attacks, we are poised to
immediately review our State security architecture while working closely
with Security Agencies to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of
these heinous crimes.
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