Barkin Ladi Attack;25 Killed!

At least no fewer than 21 persons are dead in a fresh
attack in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau in
a midnight attack on a village in the early hours of
yesterday.
A source who spoke to LEADERSHIP FRIDAY in Jos on
phone said the gunmen, believed to be Fulani herdsmen,
attacked Kukek community in Bakin Kogi Foron District of
Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of the state.

According to our source, the gunmen razed the home of a
man identified as Tsok Gwom between 1am and 2am last
night, killing nine members of his family. The gunmen
were said to have rustled some cattle from villagers.
The source further said that among the victims were Mr.
Gwom, three women, and five children. One of the
women was identified as Mr. Gwom's wife.
LEADERSHIP FRIDAY investigation further revealed that
residents of the community were woken up by the gunfire
and alerted the vigilante members of the community who
launched a reprisal attack on the gunmen and killed 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.
When contacted, the Interim Administrator of Barkin Ladi
LGA, Hon. Habila Dung, confirmed the incident but said
he was yet to get details. Also, the state police public
relations officer, DSP Felicia Anselm, confirmed the
incident but said she was not aware of the number of
persons killed.
However, the Plateau State government has reacted to
the killings, saying only 14 people were killed in the
attack.
Speaking through the Commissioner of information and
communication, Pastor Yiljap Abraham, the state
government said it was not another round of crisis, but a
criminal attempt by some misguided elements to rustle
cattle in the area. He pointed out that the villagers
showed very strong resistance by killing 10 of the cattle
rustlers while four villagers were killed by the night
marauders.
Yiljap appealed to the people of the area to report any
suspicious movements to the law enforcement agencies for
prompt action.
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN