The Police in Plateau State have confirmed the death of 9 people in an attack by unknown gunmen on Rim, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The police confirmed the causalties, saying “9 people were killed in the attack, houses burnt. Our team of experts has begun investigations to unravel the perpetrators.”
The attack started from late Tuesday night to Wednesday morning, residents said.
Residents of Rim however, disagree with the number of casualties the police recorded, saying that at least 16 people were killed by the unknown gunmen during the attack. Scores of houses, with a resident saying at least 200, were also burnt in the attack.
A Plateau State House of Assembly member representing Riyom Local Government Area, Daniel Dem, described the attack as “sad.” He lamented the continuous killings of villagers in the state in spite of the heavy presence of security agents through a body called the Special Task Force, STF.
Mr. Dem accused the STF, deployed to the state five years ago, of failing to restore law and order in Plateau.
“It is surprising that the attacks are taking place in villages where there is presence of security men, particularly members of the STF. Why are they not going after the attackers,” he said.
The lawmaker named the villages attacked to include Torok, Gwon, Gwarama, and Gwarim all in Rim District of Riyom Local Government.
The legislator said 16 people were killed, mostly women and children. He said the victims were burned to death by the attackers. He also confirmed the burning of several houses by the attackers.
A witness of the Rim attack, alleged that some of the attackers wore military uniforms.
“Some of the attackers were in soldier uniforms; they were shooting and burning houses. When the shooting persisted we had to run for our lives.”
There have been at least two previous attacks in the communities where the Tuesday attack took place. Numerous lives have been lost even as the police and residents dispute fatality figures.
Another attack also reportedly occurred in Langtang South, southern Plateau State; although nobody died.
Several buildings including a rice barn that contained over 300 bags of local rice were also reportedly destroyed.