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Tragedy struck the Bindi-Jebbu community in the Tahoss area of Riyom Local Government, Plateau State, as unidentified gunmen launched a deadly assault on Monday, leaving at least 27 people dead.
According to locals, the victims, made up of both men and women, were farmers who came under attack while carrying out their daily activities. Several others sustained injuries during the assault and were rushed to hospitals in Jos, including the Jos University Teaching Hospital and Plateau Hospital.
The Chairman of Riyom Local Government, Bature Shuwa, confirmed the incident but stated he could not yet provide an official death toll. He explained that he was en route to the affected area when contacted.
The National President of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, Dalyop Solomon, also confirmed the killings. He said the attackers were suspected to be from the Fulani ethnic group, who stormed the community, opened fire indiscriminately, and set numerous houses on fire.
“27 persons were killed, and many were injured. We have taken the bodies to different hospitals before the burial,” Solomon said.
He added that all the corpses have been deposited in various morgues, pending the announcement of their burial arrangements. As of press time, security agencies had not officially responded to the attack. Efforts to reach Major Samson Zhakom, spokesperson for Operation Safe Haven, and DSP Alabo Alfred of the Plateau State Police Command, were unsuccessful as neither responded to text messages.
This incident is the latest in a series of violent attacks that have plagued Plateau State, raising further concerns about the region’s deteriorating security situation. Communities across the state have increasingly become targets of armed groups, prompting calls for stronger security measures.
In response to the growing insecurity, the Plateau State government last week recruited 150 agro-rangers to help tackle the rising threat in rural areas.
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