By TAYE OBATERU & CHRIS OCHAYI
JOS— THE cycle of violence in Plateau State continued yesterday as, Wareng, a hamlet in Riyom Local Government Area was attacked leaving 18 people, mostly children, dead.

Two other villages were also attacked, Monday, in neighbouring Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area in similar circumstances during which five people were killed.

A statement signed by ASP Obinna Simeon on behalf of the state Commissioner of Police said three persons were killed at Nyaarwai village where 11 houses were burnt while two persons were killed and three injured at Fagawang village.

Igbo community loses 40 members

This came as the Igbo community in Jos said about 40 of its members were killed in last Saturday’s violence in the state capital while several others were still missing.

The attack on Wareng, which is believed to be a continuation of attacks and counter attacks since the mayhem erupted in the state.
The marauders were said to have set houses ablaze, killed the inhabitants as they tried to escape from the fire and quickly escaped into the hills near the village before help could come for the people.

Chairman of Riyom Local Government who confirmed the incident in a telephone interview said corpses of the victims had been deposited in mortuaries pending burial, describing the situation as unfortunate.

The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abdulrahaman Akano, who also confirmed the attack said full investigation had begun with the aim of apprehending the attackers.

Briefing journalists on the killing of Igbos in last weekend’s mayhem in the state capital, President General of Igbo Community Association, Chief Richard Wayas, said over 40 corpses of their people had been deposited in various mortuaries in the state.

He noted that the Igbos were targeted and attacked in their shops and their property looted while members of the Special Task Force, STF, maintaining security in the state allegedly watched unconcerned.

Wayas said: “On Saturday, we were stunned by the massacre of Igbo people in Jos North. About 40 corpses are currently deposited in various mortuaries while several injured persons are still in the hospitals. As I speak, there are still some people who are missing while our shops were looted and our goods carted away by the hoodlums.”

He added that a luxurious bus conveying mostly Igbo travellers was also attacked and burnt down wondering why Igbos who had nothing to do with the alleged killing of some people who went for a wedding would be target of such attacks.

The Igbo leader accused the commander of the STF and his men of taking sides in the matter alleging that they watched the hoodlums unleash violence without taking any step to check them.

Igbos lock up businesses

Wayas said Igbos would continue to lock up their businesses in the state capital until their security was guaranteed.  Meanwhile, the Plateau State Security Council has condemned the renewed violence in the state and the attendant loss of lives and property.

A statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet and Special Services, Mr. Istifanus Gyang said the council was saddened by the development especially the involvement of the youth and under aged in the violence.

The statement said: “The council is deeply concerned about the attack on travellers on federal and state highways. Therefore, the special task force and police have been directed to properly secure all the highways and other roads in the state for free and unhindered passage by all users.”

As tensions continue to rise following unprecedented violent killing in Plateau State, the Federal Government, yesterday, ordered a sustained 24_hour police patrol of the state and the neighbouring states with a view to forestalling further breakdown of law and order in and around Jos metropolis.

Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mr. Hafiz Ringim who announced the new strategy in a statement in Abuja, pleaded with the people to collaborate with the police and the security agencies to ensure the success of the ongoing efforts to restore permanent peace to the war torn state.

Ringim added: “At the moment, 15, 000 policemen have been deployed in Jos along with personnel of other security agencies to restore and sustain peace in Jos. In recent time four policemen have been killed, eight suspects arrested, 57 people died in various attacks while 95 persons sustained various degree of injury. Security agents operating in Jos can only achieve peace with collaboration of all peace loving people of Jos.”

Man  with explosive held in Plateau Assembly

Meanwhile, a middle aged man was arrested within the premises of the Plateau State House of Assembly with a suspected explosive, yesterday.

Handing over the suspect to the Commander of the Special Task Force, Brig. Gen. Hassan Umoru, the Speaker, Mr. Istifanus Mwansat, said the suspect had gained entry into the premises in suspicious circumstances.

Mwansat said that when accosted, the suspect claimed to be going somewhere which had no link with the House.

He said that when the black polythene bag in his possession was searched, pieces of cut out cloths and a small tin suspected to contain an explosive were found in it.

Gen Umoru who thanked the Speaker and the security men at the House for their vigilance promised that the suspect would be thoroughly investigated with a view to finding out his mission in the House.