Gunmen kill soldier, two villagers in Plateau

Gunmen have killed two residents and a soldier in Rikwe-Chongu village, Kwall district, Bassa LGA of Plateau state.

Ishaku Takwa, media officer of the special task force, operation safe haven (OPSH), confirmed the incident to NAN on Friday.

Takwa said the incident occurred on Thursday night, adding that OPSH deployed troops to the community.

“There was a night attack in the area on April 28. Our troops deployed to the community repelled the attack and in the process, OPSH lost a soldier,” he said.

“Two other civilians died as a result of the attack as well.”

But David Malison, the national publicity secretary of the Irigwe development association (IDA), said three locals were killed, while one person was injured.

Malison identified those killed to include; Markus Audu, aged 41; Yah Hwenke, aged 42; and 61-year-old Amus Kanga.

He also said several houses were razed in the attack and many food barns were destroyed.

Malison added that the attackers also carted away foodstuffs, animals and other valuable items.

The development comes weeks after gunmen attacked four villages in Kanam LGA of the state and killed scores of residents.

However, residents had said over 80 people were killed in the attacks.