Six killed in fresh Jos attack, gov convenes security meeting

No fewer than six persons were on Tuesday night, killed by gunmen suspected to be Fulani militia.

The gunmen reportedly stormed the communities at the wee hours of the night and started shooting sporadically.

Secretary General of the Irigwe Association (IDA), Danjuma Auta in a statement, in Jos, yesterday, read: “As the Irigwe nation continue to receive attack from left right and centre over the unfortunate incidence of the Rukuba road attack on innocent commuters which the Irigwe nation knows nothing about, we have continued to distance ourselves from the ungodly act as peace-loving citizens.

“On Tuesday night, one of our villages, Chando-Zrrechi (Tafi-Gana), was attacked by Fulani herdsmen. ”

“Five people were confirmed dead so far at Tafi Gana village of Miango District Irigwe Chiefdom, the statement added.

Auta stressed that another son of Irigwe was killed at Dong village in the evening of Monday.

The community leader called on security operatives and government to put a stop to the senseless killings.

He added that if nothing was done to avert this ugly trend Irigwe people would be wiped out.

“We see this as ethnic cleansing, government must ensure the perpetrators are speedily brought to book,” he added.

Efforts to reach the Military Information Officer of Operation Safe Haven, Major Ishaku Takwa,  proved abortive as at the time of sending this report.

Meanwhile, Governor Simon Lalong and his predecessor, Jonah Jang on Tuesday night, moved to find a lasting solution to the recent attacks that led to the loss of lives and properties in some parts of Plateau State.

It was reported that Governor Lalong had summoned an emergency security stakeholders meeting to examine ways of restoring normalcy and permanent peace to the state.

Lalong,  while addressing the meeting at the Government House Little Rayfield, Jos, said despite huge investments  made in peace building and crime fighting, Plateau is again confronted with the activities of criminals who are bent on reversing the gains made in the last six years.

He said in recent weeks and months, the state has witnessed isolated cases of attacks on some communities in Jos North, Riyom LGA, Bassa LGA, Barkin Ladi and Jos South Local Government Areas.

“In most of these attacks, farmers as well as herders were either killed or cattle and farm crops destroyed. Houses were also burnt down and people rendered homeless.

“The human losses due to the destruction is very worrisome as it continues to fuel the endless circle of attacks and counter attacks,” he said.