Plateau State - No less than 30 persons were killed and dozens of others unjured after hundreds suspected Fulani herdsmen attacked the Shonong community in Bachit district of Riyom Local Government Area of the state.
It was gathered the Shonong community, consisting of four villages, was attacked in the early hours of Monday, when most of the villagers had gone to their farms. There were children, women and elderly people among the victims.
The attack follows murder of the acting village head of Attarkar and that of Shonong village two days before Christmas.
Although Plateau State Police commissioner Mr. Chris Olakpe reported only four killings and burning of a number of houses, eyewitnesses say over 40 houses were set ablaze, and domestic animals injured.
Executive Director of Stefanos Foundation, Mr. Mark Lipdo, said he was aware of over 30 deaths. He said a search team is still looking for more bodies, as many of the injured victims ran into the bush.
Member Representing Riyom constituency, Mr. Daniel Dem, who confirmed the incident and the casualty figure, described it as unfortunate and regrettable.
Mr. Dem, who is the Majority Leader of the Plateau State House of Assembly, regretted that the presence of the Special Task Force (STF) in the area had not stemmed ten tide of killings in the area.
He said, "If the military are there in the village and the attack took place at about 8am and lasted to after noon, then the military have so many question to answer."
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