Plateau Attack: Gunmen kill 15, Lalong imposes Curfew

15 persons on Thursday night in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, at about 9pm lost their lives in a gruesome murder suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.

The murder according to eyewitnesses said the attackers came in their numbers and opened fire on residence who resides close the hills in the area.

The Daily Times gathered from the leader of the community, Mr. Sunday Abdul, that some group of herdsmen came two nights ago seeking the whereabout of one of their own.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relation officer DSP Tyopev Mathias in a statement said the command received a distress call and immediately mobilised to the scene.

In a statement sent to our correspondent via email the PPRO said “On the 27/09/2018 being Thursday at about 2205hrs, the Plateau State Police Command Control Room in Jos received a distress call to the effect that there were sporadic gunshots at Rukuba Road opposite Kowa Hotel, Jos.

The Command after receiving the report mobilised Patrol Teams immediately to the scene of crime.

The unknown gunmen who took advantage of the ongoing rain in the area to attack residents were forced to run from the scene by the combined superior gun fire of the Police and the Operation Safe Haven (STF).

“Some people who reside close to the hills were rescued while some persons lost their lives as a result of the attack and some others sustained gun shot injuries and were rushed to Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jos and are currently receiving treatment.

“The combine security is out to contain the situation in Jos. As such, members of the public are to remain calm and law abiding.

“Meanwhile, patrol of the area is being intensified and investigation in the crime has commenced”.

Meanwhile the Plateau state government has declared a dusk till dawn curfew in the State.

In a statement signed by Richard Tokgma the acting Secretary to the State Government, reads that “following the disturbance a dusk till dawn curfew has been declared in Jos North and Jos South local government area of the State”.

However, the Plateau State Commissioner of Information and Communication, Mr Yakubu Dati in a press release, said that “the attention of the Plateau State Government has been drawn to an attack along Rukuba Road in the early hours of Friday morning. The unfortunate action is generating tension in Jos the State capital.

“The State government express Governor Lalong’s condolences to the families of the bereaved and entire community where the incident took place”, Dati said.