Deborah Akinyosoye
No fewer than 15 people have been killed at the Gidan Ado community of Ganawuri in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State while others were injured and were now receiving treatment in a hospital.
Recall that a year ago, armed men disturbed the Christmas celebration in communities in the Mangu, Barkin Ladi, and Bokkos Local Government Areas of the state and to forestall a recurrence, security agencies in the state have been having a series of meetings with different communities and stakeholders committed to ensuring a peaceful Christmas celebration this year.
However, armed men defied the efforts and attacked the community, which inhabitants include the Irigwe people of the Bassa LGA of the state, causing havoc to lives and property.
Although the state Police Command and Operation Safe Haven, OpSH, were yet to give details about the incident, Chairman of the Riyom council, Sati Shuwa, confirmed the incident to Vanguard on the phone.
Spokesman of the OpSH, Major Samson Zhakom, could not be reached at press time, and that of the Police, Alfred Alabo, said the investigation was ongoing to ascertain the true situation.
But Shuwa said: “The community was attacked on Sunday night. Fifteen person were killed, we just left the community. A mass burial had been given to the victims, and two survivors are undergoing treatment in a hospital.”
The National Publicity Secretary of Irigwe Development Association, IDA, Sam Jugo added: “The attack took place on Sunday night at Ri Do (aka Gidan Ado), a hamlet of Riyom LGA, Plateau State, predominantly inhabited by Irigwe natives from Bassa LGA.
“Our hearts bleed for the demise of our kinsmen who we hoped to spend this yuletide together but their lives were cut short. May their souls rest in peace with our maker and God’s comfort to their immediate families and the Irigwe nation.”