Gunmen suspected to be Fulani militia have reportedly killed 14 people, including a pregnant woman and a baby, while scores of others were injured in a fresh attack an Irigwe community in Gidan Ado area of Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
According to the National Publicity Secretary of the Irigwe Community Development Association (IDA), Sam Jugo, the attack occured on Sunday night a few hours after a peace meeting was held to forestall such incidents heading into the Yuletide season.
Jugo who spoke to journalists in Jos on Monday, said the unprovoked attack has devasted the community, adding that the attack has been reported the operatives of Operation Safe Haven, a multi security task force maintaining peace in the state.
“The attack took place two days after the police command had deployed officers to five local government areas of the state ahead of Christmas and New year celebrations, including Riyom where the latest attack took place,” Jugo said.
According to him, the victims of the attacks were natives of Irigweland from Bassa LGA of the state.
“Our hearts bleed for the demise of our kinsmen whom we hoped to spend this yuletide together with but their lives were cut short,” he stated.
Jugo also gave the names of the victims to include Dauda Arabo,( 48), Hassana Wula, (52), Basuna Moses (22), Faith Basuna (19), Laraba Randi (18), Danlami Gado (50), Moses Yakubu (48), Azumi Moses (13), Talatu Hassan (42), Chama Ernest (20), Agumo Monday (20), Sheba Ernest (1), Mary Stephen (33) and Isere Moses (3) were murdered.
He further explained that one Linda Moses (32) and others who sustained serious injuries is presently receiving medical attention at an undisclosed location, lamenting that the identities of the perpetrators have not yet been ascertained as at press time.
While appealing for restraint on their side, he said that the leadership of Irigwe Development Association hoped that the security agencies would do the needful to nip probable reoccurrence and/or reprisals in future.
In a statement titled ‘Very dark Christmas: Irigwe Youths Movement condemns brutal massacre of 14 Irigwe people at Ari Doh, Riyom LGA’, Jugo said:
“The Irigwe Youth Movement is outraged and deeply saddened by the gruesome massacre of 14 innocent Irigwe people, including a pregnant woman and a one-year-old baby, at Ari Doh of Ganawuri, Riyom Local Government Area, on December 22, 2024.
“This heinous atrocity was perpetrated by a combined operation of Fulani militias and security personnel attached to the Ari Doh Checkpoint, Sector 6.
“The movement strongly condemns this brutal attack, which has left three others severely injured and hospitalized at undisclosed hospitals. We demand justice for our people and call for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the security personnel and other accomplice involved in this atrocity.
“Additionally, three others sustained severe injuries and are currently receiving medical attention:
1. Linda Moses, 45 years
2. Mary Yakubu, 75 years
3. One other person, whose identity is yet to be confirmed, is receiving treatment at another hospital.
“We commend the General Officer Commanding 3 Division Nigerian Army, who also doubles as Commander Operation Safe Haven Plateau State, Maj. Gen. AE Abdusalam for visiting the scene and condoling with our people. However, we demand more than condolences; we demand justice.
OUR DEMANDS:
1. We demand the immediate establishment of a powerful investigative panel by the Nigerian Defense Headquarters to probe the atrocities committed by security personnel attached to Rigwe land as we buried a young person not long ago as a result of military brutality.
“This panel should be tasked with identifying those responsible and recommending appropriate sanctions and justice for our people.
2. We call for the immediate arrest and prosecution of security personnel attached to Ari Doh Checkpoint, who were involved in the massacre. This will serve as a deterrent to others and ensure that justice is served.
3. We urge the government to take responsibility for the medical care of those injured during the attack. This includes paying their hospital bills and ensuring they receive adequate medical attention
4. We demand the empowerment of local security architecture to protect our people, especially during this yuletide season. This will help prevent future attacks and ensure the safety of our community.
“The Irigwe Youth Movement remains committed to peace and lawfulness, but we will not hesitate to defend ourselves against those who masquerade as our protectors.
“We urge the government to take immediate action to address our demands and ensure justice for our people.”
