About 32 persons were yesterday feared killed by suspected Fulani militias in three villages of Langtang South Local Government Area of Plateau State. The three villages are Bolgan, Karkashi and Magama. It was learnt that some secondary school students, who were currently sitting for the NECO examination, were among those killed. The Management Committee Chairman of Langtang South Local Government, Mr. Narman Darko, while confirming the incident, said 32 people were killed in the three villages. According to Darko, 23 people were killed at Magama, seven at Bolgan and two in between Magama and Karkishi, in addition to the over 100 houses that were razed by the rampaging Fulani attackers. The chairman said he had already informed the Special Task Force, STF, noting that soldiers had been drafted to the communities to prevent further destruction of lives and property. He urged the people of the three villages to be security conscious and report any suspicious movement to law enforcement agencies. The Coordinator of Stephanus Foundation, a Jos-based Non-Governmental Organisation, Mark Lipdo, confirmed the killings, even as he said that many people were still missing. Lipdo said the attackers followed their victims on motorcycles as they tried to escape and shot them. It was also gathered that houses and vehicles were burnt down while the three villages have been deserted. A resident, who did not want his name in print, told our correspondent that the military did not respond to the report that the Fulani militias were at Shikal ready to attack the three villages thereby allowing the carnage. Investigation showed that Bolgang village has been completely burnt down. It was learnt that those killed at Magama are mostly children and the elderly. The senator representing Plateau South in the National Assembly, Senator Victor Lar, appealed to the people to remain calm and report any suspicious movement to security agency for necessary action. The STF spokesman, Captain Salisu Mustapher, could not be reached for confirmation of the killings. The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Felicia Anselem, when contacted, said she was yet to get full details of what happened there from those on the ground. Anselem promised that she would contact our correspondent as soon as possible
Posted on: Fri, 28 Jun 2013 08:41:04 +0000