Tension In Jos Over Barakin Ladi Killings

There was mounting tension in Jos, the Plateau State capital, on Thursday following the alleged killing of 17 persons earlier in the week at a village in Barakin Ladi Local Government.

 The tension in the town increased on Thursday as unidentified gunmen allegedly killed another man and injured four others.

Our correspondent learnt that some Fulani herdsmen, irked by the killing of one of their village heads, had embarked on reprisal on neighbouring Berom communities.

No fewer  than 17 persons were said to have been killed by Wednesday morning after the gunmen stormed three villages in the Riyom Local Government area.

The  renewed hostility in the villages on Thursday started when some young men stormed the areas to avenge the Wednesday killings.

It was learnt that prompt intervention of men of the Special Task Force and appeal from elders in the affected communities prevented the situation from escalating.

At Barakin-Ladi, the skirmishes between the natives and the Fulanis also paralysed business and governmental activities for about four hours as youths from both sides  were ready to fight over the disputed area.

Meanwhile, the National Secretary of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Mt. Sale Bayeri, who decried the worsening security situation in the area, said he had alerted some prominent Fulani leaders for their intervention.

The Chairman the local government, Mr. Emmanuel Loma, condemned the incident, saying more security men had been drafted to the council.

He added that the council was making  efforts to reach out to the warring youths with a view to stopping them from carrying out further violence.

Source: Legit.ng