Gunmen kill 17 in Plateau fresh attack

No fewer than 17 persons have been reportedly killed in a fresh attack on the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

According to reports, the incident occured in the early hours of Thursday, after unknown gunmen launched an attack on people of the Heipang community of the LGA.

Confirming the attack, Julius Pam, a parent who said his family members were among the slain victims in the community, narrated what happened during the attack.

Pam, while speaking to newsmen in Jos on Thursday said, “Good morning sir. On a sad news, there was an attack early this morning in Heipang community. A total of 17 people were killed including my brother, his wife and children, all killed.”

The attack which is an addition to series of attacks previously witnessed in the state has raised concerns over the security of lives and properties especially in the Heipang community of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State

Sources at the Plateau State Police Command headquarters disclosed that security operatives have been deployed to the community to help restore normalcy.

Meanwhile, Governor of the state, Caleb Mutfwang, recently inaugurated a Security and Information Centre aimed at facilitating public access to convey security-related information to the relevant authorities for prompt action.

This was made known in a statement signed by the governor’s Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere.

While narrating the essence if it’s establishment, the governor said that the centre established by the Plateau State Information and Communication Technology Development Agency, aims to bridge the communication divide between the general public and the government.

He said that the centre will utilise basic technology to establish a toll-free hotline, allowing citizens to share information without incurring charges, using the phone number 080 0000 5555.

Governor Mutfwang, while emphasising that the state government will cover the cost of all incoming calls on behalf of the citizens said the centre is already operational and people can call.

He also noted that the government will utilize the initiative as a channel through which early warning signals and prompt interventions will be obtained while also gathering feedback on developmental matters within the state.

The Governor further encouraged citizens to confidently report security concerns from their local communities, with the assurance that all information will be treated with utmost confidentiality.

He said, “operating around the clock, the centre is geared towards efficient and effective service delivery, enabling citizens to report any issues relevant to the state.”

In another story, the Plateau State Governor, has ordered the cultivation of over 900 hectares of farmland across three local government areas of the state.

According to the governor, this was in a move to tackle the lingering crisis in the area while promising utmost security.

Prior reports revealed that in the last three months, more than 300 persons have been killed in the Mangu LGA and the neighbouring communities following a series of attacks by gunmen.

Over 30,000 residents have also been displaced, owing to the lingering security crisis.

Managing Director of the Agricultural Services and Training Centre in the state, Dr Susan Bentu, while speaking with journalists on Sunday after the official flag-off of the farming initiative at the LigitLubang Community in the Mangu LGA, said the governor directed the intervention to cover communities affected by the attacks and farm destruction.