Deadly terrorists believed to be Fulani militias, on Thursday night, invaded the Rachi community in Bachi District in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, killing two people and injuring five others in the process.
The National President of the Berom Youths Moulder Association, BYM, Barr. Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, who confirmed the attack in a statement in Jos, noted that the incident occurred at 8:00 pm when the terrorists stormed the village and attacked the residents.
Mwantiri identified one of the victims as Dalyop Dangyang, a youth leader who had been actively involved in mobilising the youths of the community to form a vigilante group to secure the village.
The BYM President said that residents of the community described the attackers as armed herders who they say organised the raid through newly formed networks operating in parts of the state.
“This attack is part of a renewed wave of coordinated violence in Riyom and neighbouring local government areas. The attacks cannot be left unchecked. Government must act decisively to protect our communities and restore security,” Mwantiri said.
“Some residents said the attacks follow the arrival of armed groups in the area. It is a cause of concern that previous designations and warnings have done little to deter further violence,” he added.
“Four days ago, six residents of Kwi Community in the same Riyom Local Government Area, were killed in another attack by the Fulani militants.
“That incident which took place at approximately 9:50 pm on Saturday, followed an earlier shooting earlier the same day in which Mr. Kurang Daniel was killed while harvesting maize around 4:00 pm.
“The assailants arrived on motorcycles and were believed to have come from Fass, a settlement in the state.”
“Information available to the Berom Youths Moulder Association has it that Fulani have falsely framed up usual lies and fallacies to security operatives, claiming that the natives of Kwi attacked their cows, which has not been proved, as no trace of any cow touched or herder attacked up to the time of filing this report has been factually established after a thorough search to ascertain such claim,” said Mwantiri.
