Nine Killed In Fresh Plateau Attacks

Nine persons have been killed when gunmen invaded Maikatako community in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The attackers also burnt several houses, forcing residents to flee.

A local of the Maikato community, John Bature, speaks of the attack: “On Tuesday, we did not sleep owing to an attack on our community by gunmen. It was by the Grace of God that I was not killed.

“Many of our people had already retired to their beds when some persons carrying guns entered the community and started shooting around 9:30 pm. Many people who tried to run were shot. Only this morning, I learnt that nine of the villagers were killed by the gunmen who also set several houses ablaze.”

Spokesperson for the Military Task Force in the state, Captain Oya James, who confirmed the attack, but could not say how many villagers were killed.

Captain James said the timely intervention of security operatives deployed to the community during the attack saved the situation.

James said, “It was around 11 pm on Tuesday that somebody alerted us of an ongoing attack in a community along Bokkos road. We quickly deployed our men and the intervention was very helpful in stopping the attackers in their mission.

“Those killed were not up to nine. I will get back to you to give you the actual figure but the situation is calm now.”

The Captain was yet to do so as at the time of this report.