Four people, including two herders and two farmers, were reportedly ambushed and killed in Uwok-Ishe community of Kakkek district of Bassa local government area of Plateau State.
Two persons who were critically injured during the incident were rushed to Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) for medical attention.
According to local sources, the ambush occurred on Saturday, around 7 pm while the victims were heading for mining sites.
The attack on the victims has caused confusion amongst residents, who are wondering who could have committed the crime, particularly given the long-standing tensions between Irigwe and Fulani in Miango district of Bassa.
Abubakar Abdullahi, a resident of the area, narrated that “the six victims, who were on two motorcycles – three on each – were on their way to mining sites when the attackers ambushed them. Among the victims included three Fulani and three (Bache), also known as Rukuba , another ethnic group in the Bassa.
“When we heard the gunshots, we quickly mobilized along with members of the Rukuba ethnic group and headed to the area where the gunfire was heard. Eventually, we saw four of the victims already dead and two in critical condition. The injured ones were later taken to Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) for treatment, “he said.
According to Abdullahi, the Fulani and Rukuba (Bache) ethnic groups coexist harmoniously in the community, which enable them to engage in various businesses together, including mining.
Dauda Aku, Youth President of the Bache ethnic group, confirmed the incident, describing it as heartbreaking.
Explaining how he received news of the incident, the president said, “At about 9 pm yesterday, I received a call that some members of our group were killed while on their way to seek a livelihood. Two of our members were killed, and one is in the hospital. Among the others were three Fulani individuals, two of whom were among the dead, and the other was injured.”
The Youth President frowned at how the level of insecurity in the area bedeviling the area , noting that this is not the first time people were losing their lives and nothing had been done about it.
The spokesperson of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Major Samson Zhakom, did not respond to our correspondent’s inquiry on the development at press time.
Our correspondent reports that attacks and killings have become a daily occurrence, with many people reportedly losing their lives and property worth millions being destroyed in Bassa and other parts of the state. (Daily trust)
