25 Killed in Plateau Within 24 Hours

No fewer than 25 persons were killed at the weekend in Plateau State. The deaths were due to attacks by suspected Fulani militia and a clash of vigilante operatives with bandits.

A clash between a vigilante group and bandits in Bangalala town, Wase Local Council of the state had claimed 18 lives on both sides.

Also, a suspected Fulani militia attack of Danda Chugwi community in Jos South, on Sunday, left seven people dead and others injured.

Confirming the incident to journalists, yesterday, the National Publicity Secretary of Berom Youth Moulders Association, Rwang Tengwong, said the Danda Chugwi killings came less than 24 hours after 18 persons were killed during a clash between bandits and the vigilante group in Wase.

The local vigilantes succeeded in neutralising the 16 bandits but lost two of their members to the fierce battle.

Having occupied the town after threatening its people to vacate, the bandits got a surprise from the vigilantes, who mobilised and confronted them.

The police reportedly fumed at the development, saying the vigilante did not consult any security agency before launching the attack.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Alfred Alabo, said the vigilantes might have unknowingly committed murder during the attack.

Promising to investigate the matter, Alabo added: “If you fight bandits and recover exhibits, is it not a good thing? Then, you report it to the police. If you don’t want to report to the police, you report to Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Department of State Services (DSS), Civil Defence or Customs represented there. Why will you leave all the government agencies and go to the newspaper to publish?”

Military Information Officer (MIO) of OPSH, Maj. Ishaku Takwa, said soldiers had been deployed to the area, adding: “Information at our disposal showed no death of bandits or vigilantes.”