21 people have been reportedly killed in two communities, Batin and Rayogot in the Heipang district, Barkin Ladi local government area of Plateau State.
It was learned that while 17 people including a family were killed in Batin, four were killed in Rayogot and seven others sustained different degrees of injuries.
Confirming the incident the State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang through its Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, said, “Governor Mutfwang, is deeply saddened by the bloody attack that claimed several lives in the Heipang community of Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area. He also strongly condemns the recent attacks in some villages in Mangu Local Government Area where more lives were lost.
“The Governor appeals to security agencies to redouble their efforts and put an end to the senseless killings of innocent people in the rural communities of Mangu and Barkin-Ladi. He emphasized the importance of peace and unity among all citizens, regardless of faith or ethnicity, for the development and growth of the state and expressed his sympathy to the affected communities and families of the deceased, assuring them of the government’s commitment to addressing the issues.”
Explaining how the incident occurred, Rwang Tengwong, the National Publicity Secretary of BYM, the Youth wing of the Berom youths said: “21 persons have been killed in an attack in two different villages in Heipang Community by Fulani militia. The attackers came around 1:26 am killed 17 Persons in Batin of Heipang town, Four persons were killed in Rayogot and seven people sustained injuries.
“After attacking Heipang town, on sighting the attackers, vigilante members from Rayogot who were on alert tried to stop them but in the process, four persons were killed. The incident ought to have ordinarily been averted going by the security alerts given out to all relevant bodies including OpSH, but the attacks were still carried out. Before the attack, there was a robbery incident along Heipang Highway, one person was killed, and one other was injured.
“The identity of the criminals was not yet ascertained by all including Security agents, but the entire District has been subjected to impending attacks, which true to fact, was carried out with little or no response to avert it… The BYM hereby calls on our people to remain calm but under intense vigilance as well as explore all legal means to protect themselves.”