A Sunday night attack in Gidan Ado community of Riyom local government area of Plateau State by unknown gunmen has claimed the lives of about 14 persons.
Mr Sam Jugo, the National Publicity Secretary of Irigwe Community Development Association, IDA, who confirmed the incident, told journalists that they had reported the incident to Operation Safe Haven, a multi security task force maintaining peace in the state, adding that troops from the operation had responded to the attack.
He explained, “The attacks took place two days after the police command had deployed officers to five local government areas of the state ahead of Christmas and New year celebrations, including Riyom where the latest attack took place.”
According to him, the victims of the attacks were natives of Irigwe, from Bassa LGA of the state.
He stated that reports emanating from their emissary indicated that Dauda Arabo, (48), Hassana Wula, (52), Basuna Moses (22), Faith Basuna (19), Laraba Randi (18), Danlami Gado (50), Moses Yakubu (48), Azumi Moses (13), Talatu Hassan (42), Chama Ernest (20), Agumo Monday (20), Sheba Ernest (1), Mary Stephen (33) and Isere Moses (3) were murdered.
He further explained that one Linda Moses (32) who sustained serious injuries is presently receiving medical attention at an undisclosed location, lamenting that the identities of the perpetrators have not yet been ascertained as at press time.
While appealing for restraint on their side, he said that the leadership of Irigwe Development Association hoped that the security agencies would do the needful to nip probable reoccurrence and/or reprisals in future.
The Publicity Secretary lamented that: “Our hearts bleed for the demise of our kinsmen whom we hoped to spend this yuletide together with but their lives were cut short.”
Both the spokespersons of the Operation Safe Haven and the Police, Major Samson Zhakom and DSP Alabo Alfred, respectively, have yet to respond to inquiries put to them.
