Suspected Fulani herdsmen again wrecked havoc in Plateau late Tuesday with a yet undisclosed number of people killed.
The attack took place in Yelwan Zangam in Jos North Local Government Area, the hot bed of recent similar attacks.
A resident of the area said vigilante members had reported recovering 37 bodies, with many of them burnt beyond recognition.
Gov. Simon Lalong has expressed his fury at the failure to avert the attack, which he said security reports indicated had been carefully planned by the attackers, who first took down the bridge linking the area, before striking.
The community is near the permanent site of the University of Jos, which was closed last week as a result of unrest in Jos, the state capital.
“The governor totally condemns this barbaric act and directs security agencies who have already arrested 10 suspects in connection with the attack to intensify efforts in tracking down the other assailants and their sponsors to bring them to justice,” a statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Makut Macham, said.
“Lalong is furious over the incident which security reports indicate was carefully planned as the bridge linking the village was said to have been destroyed in order to deny security forces access to the area during the attack.
“He sympathises with the affected people and calls for calm, assuring them that they will get justice.
“Gov. Lalong again warns criminals that they will be pursued, arrested and dealt with, no matter how long it takes, as his administration will not allow the reign of terror to persist and rubbish all the investments made in restoring calm in the state,” the statement added.
“The attackers are Fulani terrorists who came in a large numbers, despite the ongoing curfew,” a witness, who said he was among those lucky to escape the attack, told newsmen.
He said the community had been deserted but vigilantes had reported recovering over 37 bodies.
“More bodies are being discovered and everyone in the community has fled to neighbouring villages for fear of further attacks,” the resident said, refusing to be identified.
He said residents of the neighbouring communities also did not feel safe as five bodies were also discovered by the vigilantes around Farin Gada.
According to him, the casualty figure cannot be determined yet as many who ran into the bush had not been accounted for.
The incident has led to rising tension across Jos as many shop owners, commercial businesses and banks closed as people rushed home for safety.
“Meanwhile, the governor has praised the gallantry of security forces that successfully engaged and neutralised six criminals that belong to a syndicate that specialises in kidnapping innocent people in Mangu Local Government Area of the state.
The troops from Operation Safe Haven and the Nigerian Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) engaged the bandits in response to distress calls.
The governor expressed his condolences to the police and families of the police officer and member of the vigilante who lost their lives during the operation and assured them of government support. He vowed to make Plateau uncomfortable for criminals. ##
