Insurgency: Herdsmen kill 20, injure 5 in Plateau

The death toll in an attack in Ancha village of Maingo, Bassa Local Government area of Plateau State, has risen to 20.

According to Channels TV, the attack may have been a reprisal, allegedly carried out by suspected herdsmen, following an earlier dispute between themselves and the villagers.

Many others were said to have sustained gunshot wounds as well as deep cuts from machetes and among the the victims were six children.

While addressing  journalists yesterday in Jos, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr. Peter Ogunyanwo said preliminary investigation had indicated that the attack was carried out by Fulani herdsmen.

We are investigating the matter, but from our findings so far, the attack was carried out by Fulani herdsmen to avenge the killing of a young boy, we have been told that a Fulani boy resident in the village was reported missing on August 3.

We are told that his body was later found without the head,” he said. 

According to Ogunyanwo, the attackers invaded the village in the early hours of Friday and unleashed mayhem on innocent citizens, killing 19 persons and injuring five others.

Of the 20 persons that died, 14 are adults comprising seven males and six females, while six are children. The five persons injured have been taken to the hospital and are responding to treatment,” he said.