Unknown gunmen attacks Plateau village; ...9 killed

The Police in Plateau State have confirmed the death of 9 people in an attack by gunmen on Rim, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State. The attack started from late Tuesday night to Wednesday morning, residents said.

“9 people were killed in the attack, houses burnt. Our team of experts has begun investigations to unravel the perpetrators,” the police spokesperson, Felicia Anslem said.

However, residents of Rim said at least 16 people were killed by gunmen during the attack. Scores of houses, with a resident saying at least 200, were also burnt in the attack.

Commenting on the Rim incident, a Plateau State House of Assembly member representing Riyom, Daniel Dem, described the attack as “sad.”

The lawmaker lamented the continuous killings of villagers in the state in spite of the heavy presence of security agents through a body called the Special Task Force, STF.

Mr. Dem accused the STF, deployed to state five years ago, of failing to restore law and order in Plateau.

“It is surprising that the attacks are taking place in villages where there is presence of security men, particularly members of the STF. Why are they not going after the attackers,” he said.

The lawmaker named the villages attacked to include Torok, Gwon, Gwarama, and Gwarim all in Rim District of Riyom Local Government.

The legislator said 16 people were killed, mostly women and children. He said the victims were burned to death by the attackers. He also confirmed the burning of several houses by the attackers.

Witness of the Rim attack, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, alleged that some of the attackers wore military uniforms.

“Some of the attackers were in soldier uniforms; they were shooting and burning houses. When the shooting persisted we had to run for our lives,” a witness said.