One Dies As Gunmen Attack Traders In Plateau

One person was, on Monday, confirmed dead after gunmen attacked some traders from a market in Plateau State.

Sources gathered that the incident happened on Sunday evening, in the Heipang community, Barkin Local Government Area of the state.

The National Publicity Secretary for the Berom Youths Moulders Association, Rwang Tengwong, who confirmed the killing in a statement on Monday, said another person also sustained gunshot injury during the attack.

Tengwong said, “The attention of the leadership of the Berom Youth Moulder-Association has been drawn to an unfortunate incident that happened around Heipang District in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area on Sunday 06/08/2023 between the hours of 7 and 8pm.

“The act of criminality where some hoodlums attacked innocent citizens who were returning from the popular Kara cattle market.

“As a result, one Umar Idris was killed while the other victim is said to have sustained gunshot injury and is currently receiving treatment in a hospital in Barkin Ladi.

“It was also gathered that the community immediately organised its vigilante group who went to the spot where the shooting took place and the hoodlums escaped through the Potato Value Chain Market recently built by the immediate past administration.

“The Vigilante members could not engage further as the attackers were well armed.”

Condemning the attack, Tengwong said the action of the killers was unprovoked and unacceptable, particularly coming at a time when the people had put behind them incidents of the past to work with the government to ensure a lasting peace in their communities.

According to him, “From reports gathered, a security meeting today (Monday) between the Sector 4 Commander of the Special Task Force, Operation Safe Haven, Col. U.S. Abdulsalam, youths and stakeholders in Heipang, the entire community was also thrown into confusion when the incident happened as innocent persons from Heipang are also among road users.

“The community expressed its commitment during the meeting to support security personnel in its investigation to identify the perpetrators regardless of who they are.

“We condole with the family of the deceased and pray that God grant him eternal rest.

“We equally pray for speedy recovery for the injured and pray that the ugly incident will never repeat itself.”

Efforts to get the spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, to speak on the incident proved abortive as his phone line indicated that it was switched off when contacted by our correspondent.