News reaching ViewPointNigeria suggests that an early morning attack on nine villages in Barkin Ladi Local government of Plateau state has left over 20 people dead. The report said that gunmen, reportedly hauling explosives and shooting indiscriminately, raided the villages and left a trail of death.

When contacted for confirmation, the spokesperson of the Special Task Force (STF) in the state, Salisu Mustapha, confirmed the incident to journalist in a telephone interview on Saturday and said members of the STF have gone to the area and effected some arrests. He however, declined to mention the number of persons arrested.

News reaching ViewPointNigeria suggests that an early morning attack on nine villages in Barkin Ladi Local government of Plateau state has left over 20 people dead. The report said that gunmen, reportedly hauling explosives and shooting indiscriminately, raided the villages and left a trail of death.

When contacted for confirmation, the spokesperson of the Special Task Force (STF) in the state, Salisu Mustapha, confirmed the incident to journalist in a telephone interview on Saturday and said members of the STF have gone to the area and effected some arrests. He however, declined to mention the number of persons arrested.

“He said a group attacked some villages in Barikin Ladi early on Saturday and killed a lot of people,” he said.

“The attackers came in large group and for the first time not only shot their victims but also used explosives.”

Mr. Mustapha said officers have been mobilised to the area and investigations have commenced.

The STF were reported to have raided Barikin Ladi last week after a Police officer was allegedly killed and his weapon and ammunition taken away.

A Fulani umbrella association shortly after alleged that the STF burnt down their houses during the raid on the suspicion that the officer may have been killed by Fulani herdsmen in the area. The STF denied the allegations.

Security agencies in Barkin Ladi and Jos are suggesting that the attack may have been a revenge mission by the Fulanis over last week’s attack.
But witnesses say the attackers were fully armed and dressed in bullet-proof vest and army camouflage colour.

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Explosives used in attack on 9 villages in Barkin Ladi last week