Gunmen Reportedly Kill 17, Burn Down Houses In Fresh Plateau Attack

No fewer than 17 persons were reportedly killed as unspecified number of houses were set ablaze in a midnight attack by suspected Fulani gunmen on Ancha Community in Bassa Local Government Area,of Plateau state.

The Nation gathered the attackers invaded the community in large numbers and opened fire, killing the inhabitants and setting houses ablaze, forcing many scamper to safety in the deadly attack.

Military information officer, of Operation safe Haven, Major Ishaku Takwa, confirmed the incident in a statement.

He said: “In the late hours of Tuesday 11 January 2022, troops of OPERATION SAFE HAVEN received a distress call of an attack on Ancha Community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau.

“The troops responded swiftly and mobilised to the village. On reaching the community, the attackers had fled the village. Houses were destroyed and some villagers lost their lives during the attack.

“Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN are on the trail of the assailants and details of the pursuit would be made available later.

“The Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN Maj Gen IS Ali, while commiserating with the families of those who lost their lives during the attack has reiterated his resolve to ensure perpetrators of evil on the Plateau face the consequences of their dastard acts.”

Governor Simon Lalong expressed deep sadness over the attack.

Lalong said it was another sad tale in the unending cycle of violent attacks in the area, which has continued despite several measures taken by government.

He ordered security agencies to fish out the attackers at all costs.

The Governor, in a statement by his spokesman, Dr. Makut Simon Macham, asked the GOC 3rd Armoured Division and Commander Operation Safe Haven; The Commissioner of Police; Department of State Services; Operation Rainbow and other security organs in the State to utilise intelligence available from survivors and other sources and ensure that the perpetrators are apprehended and exposed.