At least 21 people were confirmed killed in two communities of Batin and Rayogot in the Heipang district, Barkin Ladi local government area of Plateau state.
While 17 people including a family were killed in Batin, four were killed in Rayogot and seven others sustained different degrees of injuries.
Spokesman of the Police, DSP Alfred Alabo, and that of Operation Safe Haven, (OpSH), Captain James Oya, were yet to confirm the incident as at the time of this report.
However, Governor Caleb Mutfwang and the leadership of the Berom Youth Moulders Movement (BYMM) confirmed the dastardly act.
The governor, in a statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, expressed sadness.
The statement said: “Governor Mutfwang is deeply saddened by the bloody attack that claimed several lives in the Heipang community of Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area. He also strongly condemns the recent attacks in some villages in Mangu Local Government Area where more lives were lost.
“The Governor appeals to security agencies to redouble their efforts and put an end to the senseless killings of innocent people in the rural communities of Mangu and Barkin-Ladi. He emphasized the importance of peace and unity among all citizens, regardless of faith or ethnicity, for the development and growth of the state and expressed his sympathy to the affected communities and families of the deceased, assuring them of the government’s commitment to addressing the issues.”
Berom youth
However, BYMM National Publicity Secretary Rwang Tengwong provided some insight into the tragedy.
He said: “21 persons have been killed in an attack in two different villages in Heipang Community by Fulani militia. The attackers came around 1:26 am killed 17 Persons in Batin of Heipang town, four persons were killed in Rayogot and seven persons sustained injuries.
“After attacking Heipang town, on sighting the attackers, vigilante members from Rayogot who were on alert tried to stop them but in the process, four persons were killed. The incident ought to have ordinarily been averted going by the security alerts given out to all relevant bodies including OpSH, but the attacks were still carried out. Before the attack, there was a robbery incident along Heipang Highway, one person was killed, and one other was injured.
“The identity of the criminals was not yet ascertained by all including Security agents, but the entire District has been subjected to impending attacks, which true to fact, was carried out with little or no response to avert it… The BYM hereby call on our people to remain calm but under intense vigilance as well as explore all legal means to protect themselves.”
Media group condemns act
Meanwhile, the Plateau Peace Media Network in a statement signed by its coordinator, Matthew Tegha, condemned the development.
Tegha said: “The Plateau Peace Media Network strongly condemns the heinous attack that took place in communities within the Barkin Ladi local government area of Plateau State. This act of violence resulting in the loss of 21 innocent lives and leaving other individuals critically injured is a grave affront to the values of peace, unity, and harmony that our beloved state stands for.
“We express our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and stand in solidarity with the affected communities during this period of profound grief. Such senseless acts of violence have no place in our society and must be met with the strongest condemnation.
“The Plateau Peace Media Network calls upon all residents of Plateau State to remain calm and resolute. We urge everyone to refrain from taking any actions that may escalate tensions further. Let us unite as a community and channel our energies towards supporting the victims’ families and assisting the injured on their path to recovery.
“We implore the relevant authorities to take swift and decisive action to ensure the safety and security of our citizens. A comprehensive and robust security strategy must be put in place to prevent such tragic events from recurring. We call on law enforcement agencies to intensify efforts in investigating these attacks, bringing the perpetrators to justice, and preventing any future acts of violence.
“The Plateau Peace Media Network advocates for enduring peace, dialogue, and understanding among all residents of our great State. Let us remember that unity is our strength, and by working together, we can overcome the challenges that threaten our peace and stability.”
NAF’s state of readiness
Meanwhile, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has said as a Service subservient to the political class, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF)’s state of readiness and preparedness remains paramount and must never be in doubt.
This, according to him, was in line with NAF’s constitutional responsibility to be ready to perform tasks that may be assigned to it by Nigeria’s political leaders.
A statement by NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, quoted Abubakar as saying this Tuesday at his maiden meeting with Branch Chiefs, Air Officers Commanding and NAF operational commanders at NAF Headquarters Abuja.
He, however, warned that even as the Service remains in the state of readiness, personnel must continue to remain apolitical, patriotic and conduct themselves in the most professional and disciplined manner.
The CAS described the contemporary operating environment within the shores of Nigeria and across the West African sub-Region as diffuse and complex, with consequences on the political climate of the entire region.
Speaking further, Air Marshal Abubakar commended NAF operational commanders for their commitment in tackling the current security challenges facing the nation.
“I am particularly glad about the recent heightened level of air operations across all our joint operations theatres which has seen us record tremendous outcomes,” he said.
Abubakar also observed that while so much had been achieved, a lot still needed to be done to ensure the NAF fully attained its set objectives.
He then implored the commanders to ensure they utilised the opportunity of the meeting to interact frankly and objectively while proffering solutions and strategies that will translate to actionable consequences on the ground.
Earlier, the CAS had unveiled his command philosophy which he said would enable NAF personnel to have a clear understanding of his focus on the future direction of the Service.
In framing his philosophy, Air Marshal Abubakar stated that he took cognizance of the current state of the NAF fleet which he said, had been enhanced with over 70 new aircraft types with more being expected as well as the current security environment.
