No fewer than three persons were killed and two others injured in Rakkop community of Barakin-Ladi local government area of the state, while over 100 hectares of farms were mulled and harvested crops destroyed by gunmen in Riyom axis of the state.
The Nigerian Tribune learnt that the gunmen in their large number swooped on the Rakkop community in the early hours of Wednesday 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 killed 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 killings, 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.
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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.
“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, wilful 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.
The Spokesman, Plateau State Police Command, DSP Alfred Alabo could not be reached for comment on the unfortunate incident.
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