Over 200 persons have
been reportedly killed and over 50 houses razed down in renewed attacks in 11
villages in three local government areas of Plateau State ,
namely: Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Jos South, attributed to armed herdsmen bandits,
who have been terrorising the Middle Belt region since 2001. This time around,
heavily armed gunmen had invaded the affected villages of Exland, Gindin
Akwati, Ruku, Nghar, Kura
Falls and Kakuruk; in the
Gashish district as well as Rakok, Kok and Razat villages in Ropp district of
the local government area.
Eye witnesses to the killings claimed that
security agents failed to intervene despite the high level of presence, as a
result of the recurring communal violence. The source further noted that the
crux of continuous unending bloodbath in the state was the unresolved crisis,
saying the latest fighting was a result of the sale of cattle by herdsmen.
After selling the cow, some locals attacked the herdsmen, killed them and took
away the money alongside the cow.