19 feared dead in Plateau gun attacks

No fewer than 19 persons were feared dead early yesterday morning at Kadunung village in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, following gunmen’s attacks on the community where houses were also razed and shops looted.
But spokesman of Operation Safe Haven, Op SH, Capt. Ikedichi Iweha, who confirmed the incident, said no one died in the attack which had rendered many homeless.
The gunmen, residents said, came in their scores, killing and injuring people and setting houses ablaze.
“It is true there was an attack on Kadunung village, houses were burnt, residents are displaced but the situation has been brought under control.
The troops got the information very late but we have taken over the areas in search of the gunmen,’’ Iweha said last night.
Management Committee Chairman of Mangu local government council, Titus Bise, who a source said was involved in rescuing the victims, has appealed to government agencies at federal and state level to come to the aid of victims as a large number of people were now homeless and hungry.

Vanguard gathered that most of the villagers have fled their homes to safe areas and that those who stayed back were having hard times living in the open in the face of rainfall.
Bise commended the efforts of security agencies but called for more proactive steps to forestall a repeat of such incident in the area.
Meanwhile, Governor Simon Lalong has called for calm on the part of all citizens in the state, particularly victims of the unfortunate attacks.
The governor in a statement signed by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Emmanuel Nanle, said: “It is regrettable that as efforts are being made by government to see to the end of violent conflict in Barkin Ladi, Riyom and parts of Jos South Local Government Areas, the state is faced with another communal crisis.”

He commended security agencies for their prompt response in curtailing the escalation of the situation and the management of Jos University Teaching Hospital, Comprehensive Centre, Gindiri, for providing medical services to the injured.
He directed the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, to provide relief materials to all those affected by the attacks.
The governor appealed to all citizens of the state to remain calm, embrace peace and not take the laws into their hands but report all suspicious movements to security agencies.