Suspected Fulani gunmen kill 3 in Plateau

By Taye Obateru

Jos—Three more people were killed by unknown gunmen in troubled Barkin-Ladi and Riyom local government areas, Plateau State, yesterday. 10 people were gunned down at a drinking joint, Monday.

Two of the latest victims were ambushed at Sho village, while reportedly going to their farm on a motorbike. Another farmer, identified as Monday Davou, was killed at Rantwol-Sopp in Riyom council, on his way to the farm.

Chairman of Barkin-Ladi council, Mr. Emmanuel Loman, who confirmed the killings, said the assailants, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, launched the attack on Sho village.

He identified the two slain farmers as his close relations.

The villagers were said to have mobilised to take on the attackers. The gunmen had reportedly disappeared before the villagers got to the scene.

Meanwhile, the Plateau State Police Command has restricted the operation of drinking joints in the state to stem the spate of killings at such joints.

They are now to close by 7pm daily until further notice, while those in Barkin-Ladi and Riyom are to close by 6pm.

The Command in a statement signed its Public Relations Officer, DSP Abuh Emmanuel, said the move was to check the current trend of attacks on drinking joints in the state.

It urged members of the public to cooperate with the police and other security agencies to rid the state of criminal elements and encouraged them to go about their legitimate business as the Command was doing everything necessary to check the attacks.