Four Killed As Herdsmen Attack Plateau Communities

Four persons were killed by suspected herdsmen that invaded Rikwechongu and Zirshe villages of Irigwe Chiefdom, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State in the early hours of Sunday.

It was also gathered that several houses and food barns were set ablaze by the gunmen.

Confirming the attack, yesterday, National President, Irigwe Development Association, IDA, Robbert Ashi, said three young persons were ambushed by the suspected herdsmen, Sunday evening, and killed between Jebbu Bassa and Rikwechongu villages while another person was killed at Zirshe village yesterday morning while some houses and food barns were burnt.

According to him “Yesterday (Sunday) evening, I was informed of attacks by suspected herdsmen, who ambushed and killed three of our youths returning from Jebbu Bassa to Rikwechongu village close to the School of Accountancy while in the early hours of this morning (Monday) the herdsmen also attacked Zirshe village and killed one person, burnt several houses including food barns where the villagers had kept their recently harvested produce.

“This action is condemnable coming at the time our people are preaching peace in the land.”

Though, as at press time the state Police Command was yet to react to the incident but a source at the rural communities affected by herders/farmers conflicts said it was true.