Fresh Plateau community attack records ’15 deaths’

*Fulani carried out the attack, Irigwe spokesman alleges

*We are not aware of any attack but we are not surprised, Gan Fulani denies allegation

*Plateau people playing to gallery of bandits’ ploy – Source

By OUR REPORTER

“We are not aware of the attack but it is not surprising to hear our name mentioned because whenever an attack is launched, our name is often called and that is unfair. Remember that on January 2, our members were attacked and killed around Rafin Bauna. We have reported the case to security agencies for investigation,” Chairman of Gan Allah Fulani Development Association of Nigeria (GAFDAN) in Plateau State, Garba Muhammed, denied the allegation.

No fewer than 15 people have been reported killed and many others injured in an attack on Ancha village of Miango District in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The attackers reportedly stormed the community at about 1:00 a.m. Thursday, while residents were asleep leaving their victims helplessly affected with several deaths while some sustained injuries of varied degrees.

The spokesperson of the Irigwe ethnic organisation, Davidson Malison, in a Thursday interview with reporters, said six people were also injured in the attack. He said more than 20 houses were burnt; while many vehicles, motorcycles and food crops were also destroyed.

Mr Malison alleged that the attack was carried out by local Fulanis in the area, an allegation that was promptly denied by the latter.

The Chairman of Gan Allah Fulani Development Association of Nigeria (GAFDAN) in Plateau State, Garba Muhammed, denied the allegation in a statement.

“We are not aware of the attack but it is not surprising to hear our name mentioned because whenever an attack is launched, our name is often called and that is unfair.

“Remember that on January 2, our members were attacked and killed around Rafin Bauna. We have reported the case to security agencies for investigation,” he said.

A source, however, warned members of Irigwe community to stop pointing accusing finger at members of other religion or ethnic group whenever any calamity befalls them but consider the possibility of enemies of both Irigwe and Fulani groups, bandits, carrying out the attacks to stoke embers of hatred for them to take arms against each other.

“Who says it was not because of wrong accusations and misleading information like this that Muslims returning from Bauchi to their base in Ikare, Ondo State, who were innocent of the quagmire on the Plateau, were ambushed and killed by undisguised Irigwe people last year? No one is even talking of justice for those innocent souls that were wasted but they are starting another now. The issue of Major General Alkali Idris is still there also killed by some proudly identified religious bigots in Jos, same area. Enough of all the madness! The law must be applied to all criminals using ethnic or religion as vehicle to perpetrate extra-judicial killings anywhere in Nigeria!” He talked tough.

The attack in Bassa, which casualties are mainly of Irigwe ethnic group, is at least the third in Plateau in 2022. It occurred barely 24 hours after armed persons ambushed and killed three persons on transit in Tyaana village, Riyom Local Government Area (LGA). About nine days before that, three people specifically Fulani ethnic group members were ambushed and killed in Rafin Bauna village of Bassa LGA.

The Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, has expressed sadness over the latest attack, describing it as another sad tale in the unending cycle of violent attacks in the area despite several measures taken by the government to tackle it.