November 26, (THEWILL) – Gunmen on Friday wreaked havoc on T’egbe community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State after an attack that left several villagers, including children, killed.
THEWILL gathered that several houses were also set ablaze by the gunmen while several others sustained injuries during the attack.
A spokesman for the Miango Youth Development Association, Nuhu Bitrus, who confirmed the incident, said search and rescue operations for the victims were still ongoing.
He added that so far, 10 persons who were shot dead by the gunmen had been evacuated to the mortuary.
Bitrus said, “Last night was really another black day for the Rigwe nation as militia attacked Te’egbe village, killed so many people, and injured many others. They also set their houses on fire.
“Right now, we have just counted the bodies of ten persons who were shot dead by the attackers. They are being taken to the mortuary. We also discovered three persons who sustained gunshot injuries.
“Our people are still searching for more victims because the damage done to the community is too much. We will let you know when we are done with the search and rescue operation.”
Meanwhile, the state government on Friday , condemned the killings.
Plateau State governor, Simon Bako Lalong in a statement issued by his Director of Press & Public Affairs, Dr. Makut Simon Macham, has directed swift action for the arrest of the perpetrators.
The statement reads: “Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong is outraged by the reported attack on Ta’agbe village of Miango District in Bassa Local Government Council carried out in the early hours of Friday 26th November 2021 where a number of persons including children were killed and houses burnt.
“Governor Lalong says this is another sad incident which is clearly the handiwork of criminals that are bent on instilling fear, pain and sorrow among the people with a view to destabilising the State and making fortune from their criminality as well as rupturing the substantial peace attained.
“The Governor totally condemns the attack and says there is no explanation that can justify it. He therefore directs security agencies to take immediate and drastic steps to apprehend the perpetrators and ensure that they pay for their crimes.
“Lalong said “the persistent attacks in this general area remains condemnable and unacceptable to Government. As such, no resources and efforts will be spared in painstakingly following up on the trail of those who derive joy in attacking and killing innocent citizens and destroying their homes and means of livelihoods. I expect the security agencies to deploy everything at their disposal to arrest those who carried out the crime no matter how long it takes. Government will not take any excuse for failure to achieve this directive”.
“Lalong while commiserating with the victims and families of those killed, assured that they will get justice as Government will stop at nothing to unravel those behind this ugly incidences that continue to disrupt the livelihoods of the people of the Local Government.
“Lalong also directed the Plateau State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the Peace Building Agency (PBA) to immediately visit the area and assess the level of damage with a view to carrying out immediate intervention and bringing succour to people who are in need as a result of the barbaric attack.
“He also calls on the people to assist the security agencies with relevant information that will enable them crack the identity and motives of the attacks.”
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