‘Two killed’ as gunmen attack another community in Plateau

A father and his son have been reportedly killed by gunmen at Durbi village in Shere district in Jos east LGA of Plateau state.

The incident comes barely a week after about 17 communities in Bokkos, Barkin-Ladi, and Mangu LGAs in Plateau were attacked by gunmen who killed over 100 residents.

Over 200 houses were destroyed while many residents were left injured and displaced.

Markus Useini, chairman of Jos east LGA, confirmed the attack to TheCable on Sunday.

Useini said the incident occurred at about 7:45 p.m. on Saturday.

“What really happened, from the information I gathered from the community and the family members, the people (gunmen) came around 7:45 pm and met some Fulani herders who were rearing their cattle,” he said.

“They (gunmen) asked the Fulani herders for water and while they were bringing the water, they saw the people had guns and the herders quickly ran into a house in the village.

“About two to three minutes later, people started hearing gunshots and people started to panic. One of the hoodlums went to the house where the herders were hiding and a member of the house came out and engaged the hoodlums.

“When one of the hoodlums noticed the other member could not escape, they quickly went there and shot the boy who attacked their member.

“One of the hoodlums then went into the house and shot the father of the boy who killed one of them in his room. Yes, the boy was able to kill the hoodlum.

“After the incident occurred, security operatives went to the village. The village is very far and the access road is very difficult.

“When I heard the incident, I quickly called the divisional police officer and I informed them that they should quickly respond.

“On their way going there, the hoodlums have left already. They only saw three dead bodies, one for the hoodlum and he was in army uniform. They also found his handset.

“We recorded three dead bodies, two for the people of the community and one for the hoodlum.”

When contacted, Alfred Alabo, police spokesperson in the state, said “from what I am getting, it’s like it was an attempted kidnap”.

“Let me get the actual facts so you can get my press release please,” Alabo said.

The police spokesperson was yet to get back as at the time of filing this report.