No fewer than 14 persons, including women and children were reportedly k!led and one other injured in an attack in Dochai community (Gidan Ado) in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
It was gathered that the gunmen attacked the community around 8:pm on Sunday night, December 22, 2024.
The attacks took place two days after the police command had deployed officers to five local government areas of the state ahead of Christmas and New year celebrations, including Riyom where the latest attack took place.
The National Publicity Secretary of Irigwe Community Development Association (IDA), Sam Jugo, confirmed the incident to journalists on Tuesday, December 24.
He said they had reported the incident to Operation Safe Haven, a multi security task force maintaining peace in the state, adding that troops from the operation had responded to the attack.
According to the publicity secretary, the victims of the attacks were natives of Irigwe, from Bassa LGA of the state.
“Reports emanating from our emissary indicates the following persons were murdered : Dauda Arabo,(48), Hassana Wula,(52), Basuna Moses (22), Faith Basuna (19), Laraba Randi (18), Danlami Gado (50), Moses Yakubu (48), Azumi Moses (13), Talatu Hassan (42), Chama Ernest (20), Agumo Monday (20), Sheba Ernest (1), Mary Stephen (33) and Isere Moses (3),” he said.
“One Linda Moses (32) who sustained serious injuries is presently receiving medical attention at an undisclosed location. The identities of the perpetrators have not yet been ascertained as at press time.
“Therefore it will be ill conceived to state it here in order not to preempt or interfere with the outcome of ongoing investigations by the security agencies. While appealing for restraint on our side, the leadership of Irigwe Development Association hopes that the security agencies will do the needful to nip probable reoccurrence and/or reprisals in future. Our hearts bleed for the demise of our kinsmen whom we hoped to spend this yuletide together but their lives were cut short, “the publicity secretary added.
The victims of the attack were laid to rest in a mass burial on Monday.