At least 20 persons were killed yesterday morning following attacks in Zakupwang, Fan village in Foron district of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Plateau State, by unknown gunmen suspected to be herdsmen.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the attack was carried out between 12am and 1am.

Piqued by the killings in the state, Governor Simon Lalong has set up a 14-man committee, seven each from the Berom and Fulani communities, to reconcile their differences and provide the ground for lasting peace.

Confirming the killings to newsmen, the lawmaker for Barkin-Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Hon Istifanus Gyang, condemned the killings in a statement he signed and made available to newsmen yesterday.

He said: “We have received with shock the killing of 20 persons in the early hours of yesterday through violent attacks on seven villages of Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area.

“The renewed attacks are least expected at a time when concerted peace efforts and dialogue meetings are ongoing between Berom and Fulani stakeholders.”

Gyang, however, appealed to the Berom and Fulani stakeholders not to allow the unfortunate incident to derail the peace effort, noting that to do so would be handing victory to those “who do not want peace and have made blood letting their vocation and daily delight.”

He further said that despite this setback, he remained committed to ensuring that Barkin-Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency was rebranded from an axis of violence and bloodshed to one of peace and prosperity.

Hon Gyang also called on the Special Task Force (STF) to live up to its upgraded status of providing a safe haven for all communities in his constituency and the state as a whole.

Amdayburh:
God save our lives from dis horribe sect..Amen.

uselessgoat:
I HOPE THE VICTIMS AND CASUALTIES ARE IGBOS THEY KEEP CLAIMING PEOPLE'S LAND SO I DONT PITY THEM. THEY ARE DRAGGING OUR LAND IN LAGOS AS NO MAN'S LAND AND THEY ARE UNGRATEFUL FOR ALL WE DID FOR THEM AFTER OJUIKU LED THEM TO THEIR SUDDEN DEATH IN 1967