Nigeria - Gunmen Attack Plateau Village, Kill 7

About seven people were feared killed in their sleep in an attack in the early hours of yesterday by suspected Fulani herdsmen on Rinyam Tahoss village of Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.   

The killing however came on the heels of a fresh bomb scare which occurred simultaneously in different parts of Lagos State jolted residents, prompting the state Police Command to beef up security in the affected areas.

It was also gathered that 10 others, who reportedly sustained serious injuries, were currently in critical condition at the Vom Christian hospital.

Reporters learnt that the herdsmen, who laid ambush at various strategic parts of the village fired gun shots into the air to scare the villagers, and subsequently began to attack them in their sleep.

An eye witness said after two hours of uninterrupted operation, the assailants bolted away before the arrival of men of the Special Task Force (STF).

Among the seven people killed were four adult and three children

Confirming the incident, member representing Riyom constituency in the state House of Assembly, Hon. Daniel Dem, said: “The attack has become a daily occurrence today alone seven  people were shot death and several others are receiving treatment of gunshot and machete cuts at the Vom Christian hospital. I want to appeal to my people to remain calm and not to take the laws into their hands as appropriate measures are being taken to bring to an end the senseless killings.”

The lawmaker lamented that despite the fact that the local government was under state of emergency, people are being killed on a daily basis and called on the security personnel deploy to the area to be proactive.

In a related development, Reporters gathered that the bomb scare occurred at Dominion Store and the E-centre housing Ozone Cinema, both in Sabo, Yaba, area of the state.

Whilst police operatives and men of the state Anti-Bomb Squad stormed the area for a search, the residents of the area took to their heels out of fear. Residents of the state have been forced to cope with the incessant bomb scares that erupts in different parts of the state.

While the search was going on in Yaba, some policemen numbering about 15 had stormed the office of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, to tighten security.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the state police command, Mr. Joseph Jaiyeoba, said mischief-makers were the ones sending threat messages in the state. He urged members of the public not to panic as measures have been put in place for their safety.

The presence of the policemen had disrupted the Google New Media Certification Workshop, which took place at the massive hall of NAN media centre.

News Source: ThisDay