3 killed,2 injured and over 100 hectares of farms destroyed in fresh bandit attack in Plateau

Friday, November 8, 2024 - Gunmen k!lled three youths and shot two others in Rakwok community, Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.  

It was also gathered that over 100 hectares of farms and harvested crops were destroyed by gunmen in Riyom axis of the state.

The gunmen in their large numbers swooped on the Rakwok community in the early hours of Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at about 10am and shot three youths who were carrying out their legitimate businesses at close range and opened fire at random on other innocent people within the vicinity. 

The President, Berom Youth Moulders-Association Barrister Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, who confirmed the incident in a signed statement, identified the three persons k!lled by the gunmen as Mr. Chollom Daniel, aged 27, Mr. Jang Joseph, aged 21, and Mr. Richard Dapel, aged 18, adding that three others who sustained injuries are in the hospital receiving treatment

The President of the Association expressed worry over the recent recurrence of continued k!llings, ambushes, assaults on women, willful destruction, and mass harvest of corn and other crops belonging to Berom native inhabitants by gunmen suspected to be Fulani militia.

According to him, the militia are on the prowl, especially in the Room local government area, where they are constantly engaging in all forms of atrocities like destruction of farms, setting harvested crops on fire, and gunning down of farmers in their farms. 

“Massive destruction of farms was witnessed in Riyom communities such as Jol, Rim, Litton, and Rinyam," he said. 

“In the past one week there have been persistent incidents of setting harvested crops ablaze in the night in Ghashishi of Barakin-Ladi local government. Harvested crops like Asha waiting to be threshed were set on fire.

“More than 100 hectares of farms were destroyed recently; the farmers are presently devastated and helpless. They were encouraged to farm and protected by the security agencies but now lost everything by the sudden attack by the bandits. At the moment, their investment is gone.”

He therefore called on the security agencies, especially Operation Safe Haven-OPSH, to, as a matter of urgency, arrest the ugly trend in the affected local government areas.

“It’s our firm view that the continued killings, ambushes, willful destruction of crops and harvest of our people’s farmlands, and forceful expansion of territories amongst you other Fulani are not only their deliberate efforts towards total taking over of villages and communities, but also attempts to revisit our people with another round of massacre witnessed on Christmas- Eve last year.

“We would continue to be peace advocates in support of the patriotic effort of Gen. AE Abubakar, the GOC, and Commander Operation Safe Haven-OPSH.

“In the same vein, we would continue to support the Plateau State Government under Barr Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang and also President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in upholding the core values of democracy.”

Barrister Mwantiri also called for a discreet investigation into the attack on the Rakkop community, where three people were killed and two others injured on Wednesday, adding those whose farms and harvested crops were destroyed should be compensated 

Meanwhile, the Executive Chairman of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Hon. Pwajok Stephen Gyang, has paid a condolence visit to Rakwok village.

The Chairman mourned the lives lost, expressing profound sorrow over these tragic k!llings and condemning the unchecked violence that has repeatedly afflicted Rakwok and other parts of Barkin Ladi. 

Hon. Pwajok lamented the disturbing pattern of attacks without consequences for the perpetrators, underscoring the urgent need for security reinforcements in the area. 

While acknowledging the commendable efforts of security personnel in restoring relative peace to Barkin Ladi in recent times, the Chairman urged them to intensify their vigilance to prevent such isolated attacks on civilians. 

He called for early warning systems and decisive actions to curb criminal activities, ensuring that peace is fully restored. 

Following the visit, Hon. Pwajok held an emergency security meeting with key security heads at the council secretariat, emphasizing the administration's commitment to safeguarding lives and property in Barkin Ladi.