Eric Danlami, a survivor of Sunday night’s attack in the Zike hamlet, Kwall District, Irigwe Chiefdom of Bassa Local Government Area, Plateau State, has narrated how his sister was killed.
Danlami revealed that the attackers invaded the hamlet at midnight while they were fast asleep.
He said the sound of gunfire and the ensuing pandemonium woke them.
He further disclosed how his elder brother, along with some of his children, was slaughtered in his apartment.
Narrating his experience, Danlami noted, “We had retired to bed in the night without any form of suspicion of any kind of problems. At the time we heard the sporadic gunshots and movement of the people, we found a place to hide in one of the rooms, not knowing that the attackers had already entered our elder brother’s apartment at the boy’s quarter and slaughtered them, a family of five.
“His wife and first son survived and are currently in the hospital, but my sister, whom we were hiding together in a room, was afraid that they would enter the house. As she left the place we were hiding to go to another hiding place, she was sighted. They shot at her and she didn’t survive it.”
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Governor pledges support
Meanwhile, the state governor, Caleb Mutfwang, during his visit to the affected areas and victims, reassured them of his administration’s unwavering support during these difficult times.
Mutfwang, who visited and commiserated with the grieving community on Tuesday, stated that his administration is re-evaluating and reengineering the state’s security architecture.
He expressed confidence that these measures would help prevent further attacks and ensure lasting peace and stability across the state.
Accompanied by the State’s Heads of Security agencies, the governor said, “The entire nation is grieving with you, and so is the international community. I have wept since yesterday because we believed that all necessary measures were in place to prevent a recurrence of such tragedies.”
The governor described the incident as a painful setback for the state, particularly in light of its recent strides towards sustaining peace.
He emphasised that no one has the right to take the law into their own hands.
“Despite the provocation, we must not allow ourselves to be dragged into the abyss of lawlessness,” he warned.
Meanwhile, the Brra Nggwe Irigwe (Paramount Ruler of the Irigwe Nation), Ronku Aka, expressed appreciation to Mutfwang for his prompt response and compassion.
He urged security agencies to intensify their efforts in safeguarding rural communities and commended the Governor’s developmental initiatives, especially the construction of roads in the region.
Additionally, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.
He condemned the violence and said it has a devastating impact on local farmers.
He added themat in response, police have deployed more security personnel and resources to the affected areas and are working closely with other security agencies.
Egbetokun added that Intelligence gathering efforts have also been intensified to identify and bring the masterminds behind these attacks to justice.
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“We will work tirelessly until these issues are resolved. I assure you that these criminal elements will soon be outnumbered. I appeal to the people of Plateau to remain calm and peaceful.”
Meanwhile, at a press conference on Tuesday, Amb. Nanpon Sheni, the President of the Plateau Initiative for the Development and Advancement of the Natives (PIDAN)—the umbrella body representing the 56 indigenous groups from Plateau State—called for justice for the victims. He demanded the swift arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators.
