21 feared dead in fresh Plateau attack

About 21 people have been feared killed by gunmen suspected to be Fulani cattle rustlers in Kukek village of Foron district of Barkin Ladi Local Government of Plateau State.

It was gathered  that some suspected Fulani gunmen in their numbers invaded the village in the night to rustle cows.

They were said to have successfully rustled about 60 cows and killed 8 members of a family.

The killings of the 8 members of a family provoked the vigilante group of the community, who immediately picked up arm and went after the criminals. The clash between the vigilante group and the criminals led to the death of some persons.

 

Among the victims were Mr. Gwom, three women, and five children who were all said to have bullet wounds on their bodies. One of the women was identified as Mr. Gwom’s wife. The victims’ corpses were yet to be taken to the hospital as at 1:30 p.m.

Residents of the community said the gunshots alerted the vigilante members of the community who launched a reprisal attack on the over 30 attackers killing 12 of them.

A resident of the community, who did not want his name mentioned for security reasons, said many of the vigilante members also sustained various degrees of injuries.

He said the attackers may have been cattle rustlers as Mr. Gwom’s cattle numbered over 50. However, the animals remained intact.

Confirming the attack, the Plateau State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Yiljap Abraham said 14 people were killed and not 21.