9 killed in Barkin-Ladi

The fresh killings come a day after 24 people, including two policemen, were reportedly killed in Bokkos area of the state.Spokesman of the Special Task Force (STF), Navy Lt. Jude Akpa, who confirmed the killing in Ratas, said the attackers took advantage of considerable deployment of STF men to Bokkos and invaded the Barkin-Ladi village, […]

The fresh killings come a day after 24 people, including two policemen, were reportedly killed in Bokkos area of the state.
Spokesman of the Special Task Force (STF), Navy Lt. Jude Akpa, who confirmed the killing in Ratas, said the attackers took advantage of considerable deployment of STF men to Bokkos and invaded the Barkin-Ladi village, killing the nine people.
He said the STF nonetheless stormed the area on hearing the report and as the attackers were fleeing.
The Chairman of Barkin-Ladi LGA Emmanuel Lohman, who also confirmed the Ratas killings, said the same people who attacked Bokkos on Wednesday carried out the attacks in Ratas as they fled Bokkos.
However, reacting yesterday to widespread attribution of the attacks in both Bokkos and Ratas to Fulani ‘mercenaries’, the Plateau State Secretary of Miyetti-Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) Muhammadu Nura, who exonerated Fulani from the Wednesday night attacks in Bokkos, dismissed the mercenary theory, saying if it is true, the government and security agencies should always be diligent and identify the mercenaries and stop them before they commit any mayhem.
He said  “they say the attackers look like Fulani from outside the state or even country. They have established what is called neighbourhood watch. If you see new faces, why don’t you fish them out before anything will happen?”
Meanwhile, Plateau Governor, Mr Jonah Jang yesterday advised Nigerians to imbibe the culture of respecting the dignity of life and peaceful co-existence.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the call was contained in the governor’s Easter message by Mr James Mannok, Director of Press Affairs. He advised Nigerians, especially Christians, to strive to live peacefully with one another.
He re-assured Plateau citizens that the administration was committed to honouring its covenant of transforming the state anchored on the Three Pillar Policy.
While wishing the people “a peace and rewarding Easter celebration,” he said “Christians must claim this season, which symbolises hope, by re-dedicating their lives to the teachings and path of Christ so as not lose eternity,” he said.