Several villages in Plateau state were attacked by unknown gunmen on Monday and Tuesday who killed over 27 people and burnt properties.
Reportedly, Ninji, Ropp and Inding villages in Barikin Ladi Local Government Area were attacked by armed men. The Channels TV reports that the attacks were performed by Fulani herdsmen, while the Nation claims that suspected Boko Haram members invaded the villages.
During the attacks, the gunmen stole cows and torched hundreds of houses.
According to the Channels TV, the death count is 22 but the officials have yet to give an official number. It was also reported that the victims have now been buried as the villagers fear another attack could be on the cards.
Meanwhile, The Guardian reports that two villages were attacked and the assailants stole cows from the villages. Reportedly, first they attacked Ninji village, killing 7 people and later attacked Ropp, killing 20 people.
Council Chairman, Dr. Emmanuel Loman, speaking at the mass burial of the victims said the attackers came in hundreds and surrounded the village preventing the villagers from escaping.
However, the police later caught the herdsmen who were loading the stolen cows into trucks.
But the herdsmen attacked the second village in retaliation and made away with more cows and killing more villagers.
The villagers said they have so far recovered 27 bodies and they are still searching.
According to Loman, “in the last two weeks, over sixty people have been killed by gunmen in Barkin Ladi local government alone.”
In a related development, a traditional leader in Plateau state was found dead on Sunday with his limbs amputated.
