- Safiu Kehinde
At least three people have been killed in a fresh attack on Plateau community barely a day after President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the state.
The assailants had reportedly ambushed the victims in Nyamgo Gyel, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau.
According to reports, the victims, identified as Luka Sandu Pam (36), Samuel Davou (38), and Deme Saidu (35), were ambushed by assailants at about 7 p.m. on Friday while returning home from Gero on a motorbike.
Eyewitness accounts indicated that the victims were part of a group of about 15 youths returning from a mining site when they ran into the ambush.
According to the Gyel Youth Leader, Dung Davou, the group came under sudden attack by suspected armed herdsmen who opened fire at the residents, forcing many to flee.
“We started hearing sporadic gunshots, and everyone scattered. Unfortunately, three of our people were killed,” he said.
Standing beside the bodies of the victims, the Chairman of the Berom Youth Moulder Association, Barrister Solomon Dalyop recounted that they had gone to observe Good Friday before being killed on their way back home.
“These young men went to mark Good Friday and were returning home when they were ambushed and killed. This is heartbreaking,” Dalyop said.
Meanwhile, the chairman disclosed that community leaders had recently held a security meeting with members of the Fulani community at the Sector 2 Command of the Nigerian Army in Jos South.
According to him, concerns were raised over the movement of unknown persons around Gero, Rafin Bauna, and Dutsen Kura in the Miyango-Bassa axis.
“We were informed about suspicious movements in these areas, and we have since cautioned our people to be vigilant, especially at night,” he added.
Daylop called on authorities to urgently address what he described as repeated and unprovoked attacks on the community.
Meanwhile, the fresh attack is coming barely a day after Tinubu visited victims of the Palm Sunday attack at Angwa Rukuba community which left over 28 people dead with several injured.
Tinubu would on Thursday pay a condolence visit to the victims while assuring the residents of enhanced security operation across the state.