Plateau villagers discover gunmen training camp
Villagers in Riyom and Barkin Ladi local governments of Plateau State have called on security agencies for help over plans by armed Fulani militants to launch fresh attacks on the villages.
According to Punch report, the concerned villagers on Wednesday said they had discovered a training camp of gunmen behind a rocky hill in Rim near Riyom.
“The alarm has become necessary so as to attract security agencies to come to our aid in protection, the whole of Bachit district is under serious risk of gunmen attack if nothing is done to improve security surveillance in the areas,” said the villagers.
A member of a vigilante group in Riyom Dangyang Bulus said, “We discovered their plans because one of the Fulani living with us was invited to join them in their training camp. That one deceived them by telling them he would go home and prepare to join them later; but refused to go back to the camp.
“So, it is our Fulani neighbour that revealed the secret to us, we have communicated to the police and security agencies in charge of this areas. But from all indication, they are afraid of going there, some of them even said we are raising false alarm.
“This gunmen can strike anytime and we don’t know where and when they will strike. That is why we are raising this alarm. If this planned attack is not prevented, we will hold the security agencies responsible for any loss of lives and properties because past attacks by these gunmen generated casualties as many as hundred,” Bulus said.
Copy of a petition sent to Plateau State Police Commissioner by members of the Shonong community indicated that several of their men had been killed while working on their farms last month.
