Over thirty people have been reported killed while twenty five others sustained various forms of injuries when gunmen attacked Shonong village in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau. The incident which happened at about 7am on Monday has been blamed on Fulani herdsmen by the villagers.

The community which shares boundary with Kaduna state lost mainly women and children who were taken aware s by the preciseness of the attack. The Plateau state Commissioner of Police Chris Olakpe confirmed the incident and said investigation was ongoing.

Over thirty people have been reported killed while twenty five others sustained various forms of injuries when gunmen attacked Shonong village in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau. The incident which happened at about 7am on Monday has been blamed on Fulani herdsmen by the villagers.

The community which shares boundary with Kaduna state lost mainly women and children who were taken aware s by the preciseness of the attack. The Plateau state Commissioner of Police Chris Olakpe confirmed the incident and said investigation was ongoing.

Villagers who witnessed the onslaught said that more than 40 houses were burned while domestic animals were killed or stolen. The member representing the area in the State house of assembly Hon Daniel Dem confirmed the attack and questioned the inability of soldiers to contain the attack.

Hon Dem said “for some weeks now the acting Chief of Shonong where the attack took place was killed and was buried last week with two others. This morning again, I was called at about 7 am that there is a fight in Shonong and that some women and children went to search for firewood in the farm and were killed and that the Fulani surrounded the entire community firing sporadic gun shots and several people killed and many injured.”

He added “We have security men there and if the attack will start from 7am until after noon, I think something must be wrong, what are the military there for? If we will have attack from morning to after noon and people killed, houses burnt, I think the military should be asked why they were there to protect lives and property of the people. We have tried to get in touch with them and they said they are on ground and what then happen from morning to evening that over 30 people were killed and with so many lying critical in the hospital.”

The Special Task Force (STF) set up to maintain peace in Plateau spokesman’s was not available to comment while the community is still combing the surrounding areas in search of dead bodies.

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Over 30 killed and 25 injured in Riyom LGA of Plateau