Gunmen kill four persons in Plateau State

• Community builds police post to contain violence
• Gov orders monarchs to file in security reports

Four persons were reported killed in separate attacks by unknown gunmen between Saturday and Sunday in Plateau State.At Arangai village in Mangu council area near the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camp, a meat seller, Baba Likita, was on Sunday night killed alongside two other men from Ampang West in same local government.

An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, said the attackers were suspected to be Berom from Barkin Ladi Local Council. He explained that the ethnic group believes that any time there was an attack in their community, Mangu serves as a refuge from the marauding herdsmen.

Likita was, however, buried yesterday according to Islamic rites.The spokesman for Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Major Adam Umar, said one person was also ambushed and murdered at Ktachudu village in Fan District of Barkin Ladi around 9.00p.m. on Sunday.He disclosed that on getting a distress call, his men, who were on routine patrol, quickly mobilised but arrived when the unknown attackers had fled the scene.

The spokesman, however, stated that the military was working with the police to get to the root of the matter, adding that investigation to unravel the masterminds had begun.On the Mangu incident, he promised to get in touch with the appropriate quarters, as he was yet to be briefed, adding that the poor telecommunications service in the area was unhelpful.

Umar stated that the situation was under control, regretting that the isolated attacks had been taking place in the remotest of rural settlements where help is not handy.Also on Sunday night, at Bauchi Road and Nasarawa Gwom, all in Jos North council area of the state, there was tension due to the activities of a deadly group known as Sarasuka which clashed with another sect, leading to the destruction of property and injuries on members.

Umar, who confirmed the development, stated that the groups had wanted to disrupt the “hard-earned peace the people have been enjoying in the state, especially during the Sallah celebration.”He hinted that the quick response from the military outfit saved what could have turned a bloody clash.

However, the Dong district of Jos North council area has built a police post to contain the incessant attacks and killings in the area.During its commissioning at the weekend, the speaker of the state House of Assembly, Peter Azi, reminded the people that security was everybody’s business, and as such, the residents should be willing to give useful information to security agents for prompt action.

Also yesterday, Governor Abdulaziz Yari directed the 17 emirs in Zamfara State to immediately file in reports on the security situation in their domains.According to the News agency of Nigeria (NAN), he gave the directive while receiving Sallah homage from the monarchs of Kaura-Namoda, Birnin-Magaji and Zurmi, asking that they should immediately convene a stakeholders’ meeting on the matter.

Yari said the reports should provide recommendations that would enable government take appropriate measures in addressing the insecurity in the state.He decried the carnage amid the presence of security agencies, adding that his administration was working with relevant stakeholders within and outside the state to find a lasting solution to the problem.