Fifteen victims of a violent attack by gunmen in Gidan Ado, a community in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, were buried in a mass ceremony on Monday, following a brutal assault that left the region in mourning.
The attack, which took place late Sunday night, resulted in the loss of lives, destruction of homes, and displacement of numerous residents.
Eyewitness accounts and official reports indicate that several houses were razed, and many individuals sustained injuries while others remain missing.
Musa Ashoms, the Plateau State Commissioner for Information, condemned the attack, describing it as barbaric, and called on security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend the perpetrators.
Song Muru, a youth leader in the Gidan Ado community, shared details of the tragic incident.
“Yesterday evening, being Sunday, I received a distress call from Gidan Ado, an Irigwe settlement in Ganawuri Chiefdom, reporting a devastating Fulani attack,” Muru stated.
“I immediately reached out to the Special Task Force and the police for intervention. Regrettably, this morning, I was informed by one of the youth leaders that the attack has resulted in the loss of at least six lives, with others still missing. So far, we recovered 15 dead bodies. My heart goes out to the affected families and the entire Irigwe community.”
Muru called on the government to provide relief for displaced residents, particularly women and children, and urged the authorities to ensure justice.
Speaking on behalf of the state government, Commissioner Ashoms lamented the ongoing violence in Plateau and reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring peace and stability.
“This actually happened in Gidan Ado, in Ganawuri community, Riyom Local Government, where the assailants came and took away the precious lives of our people like that. It is barbaric,” he said.
Ashoms confirmed that the victims were laid to rest in a mass burial on Monday and appealed to security agencies to redouble their efforts.
“While security agencies have been doing their best to check killings, they should intensify their efforts and arrest the perpetrators of these acts,” he added.
The attack has renewed fears of escalating violence in the region, evoking memories of last year’s Christmas Eve attack in Plateau State, which also resulted in multiple deaths and destruction of property.
In response to persistent attacks, the Plateau State Police Command had earlier implemented measures including bans on night grazing, late-night beer parlours, commercial motorcycles, and mining activities.
Security personnel were deployed across the state’s 17 LGAs to ensure safety during and after the festive season.
However, the latest incident has raised concerns about the effectiveness of these measures.
As of press time, official statements from the Plateau State Police Command and the Military Task Force were yet to be released.
The Plateau State government extended its condolences to the families of the deceased, urging unity and vigilance among residents.
“We condole with the families of the deceased and pray for the repose of their souls. This act of violence must end. We call for justice and peace in our communities,” Ashoms concluded.
The Gidan Ado attack is a tragic reminder of the ongoing security challenges in Plateau State, as residents call for lasting solutions to prevent further loss of lives and property.