SAN FRANCISCO, October 10, (THEWILL) – Over 21 persons were sent to their early graves early Thursday morning in Kukek community of Bakin Kogi Foron district of Barkin Ladi Local Government area of Plateau State when gunmen, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, attacked the community.
The gunmen, who set the home of a resident, Mr. Tsok Gwom, on fire at about 2am, killed the man, his wife and five children as well as two other women, all members of his family – and rustled some cattle from the villagers.
Gunshots from the attackers, according to residents of the community, alerted members of the vigilante group , who launched a reprisal attack on the gunmen and killed 12 of them, although many of the vigilante members also sustained various degrees of injuries.
The Interim Administrator of Barkin Ladi Local Government, Hon. Habila Dung, confirmed the attack, saying immediately he received a distress call about the attack, he quickly alerted the security operatives, who, according to him, have not given him a feedback. ”When I get the detail of the incident, I will let you know,” he added.
Plateau State Commissioner of Information, Yiljap Abraham, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Ayuba Pam, also confirmed the attack, putting the casualty figure at 14.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Felicia Anslem, though confirmed the incident but could not confirm the casualty figure.
