Riyom killings: Death toll rises to four

Death toll from the attack by gunmen, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, in Hoss Community of Riyom Local Council, Plateau State, has risen to four.

After the attack on Tuesday, two deaths were reported. But, yesterday, reports put the death toll at four.

According to a native, Tina Pam, the two additional casualties are from the wounded. The bodies were found in a pool of blood in the early hours of yesterday.

On Wednesday, the development had prompted a massive protest by women in the local council, who blocked the road to and from Abuja. The protesting women also barricaded the Jos/Akwanga Road, thereby disrupting vehicular movement on the highway.

The women were demanding the removal of the military personnel, known as Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), from all the checkpoints in the state, for unprofessional conduct.

Leader of the protesters, who was furious when asked of her identity, said: “Don’t you see the interest and biased mind the troops of OPSH have in the whole exercise? If you do not know, they are very biased; they don’t like the natives.

“They have departed from the good deeds of Col. Abdulsalam, who is not from Plateau; he is from the Fulani stock, but he is very good. He does not take sides.”

The Guardian learnt that Fulani militia rose from a meeting at Mahanga on Tuesday around 5.00p.m., where they resolved to invade Kombun and Nboi in Mangu Local Council. They equally resolved to attack Baten, Tashek, Weren Camp and others in Riyom same day.

Plateau State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Alfred Alabo, confirmed the attack, saying the police were still investigating the circumstances that led to the killing of the youths.

He said: “If after the investigation into the matter and we have something to say, we will call you.

“The road that was initially blocked by the protesting women has been re-opened, and there is free flow of traffic. That matter is settled.”

Media Information Officer (MIO) of OPSH, Capt. Oya James, denied the alleged complicity by the troops.

James said: “The Special Task Force, OPSH, has monitored a press briefing by the Leadership of the Plateau State Youth Council, where it was alleged that OPSH did little to save lives and wrongfully arrested and detained innocent persons, while also accusing the command of complicity. These allegations are not only misleading but untrue.

“While OPSH is not known for joining issues with any individual or group, whose major occupation is to undermine the legitimacy and integrity of the command spanning over a decade, this deliberate attempt to discredit the successes recorded by OPSH on the Plateau in areas of kinetic and non-kinetic operations would not be tolerated.

The OPSH, over the years, has made quantifiable sacrifices, including losing lives of its troops to achieve peace on the Plateau and environs. It is, therefore, unfortunate for a known and respected group like the Plateau Youth Council to accuse OPSH of complacency.”