29 feared killed in central Nigeria attack

By Rafiu Ajakaye

LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) - At least 29 people were killed Monday when gunmen attacked a community in the central Plateau State, according to village leaders.

A community chief, Sunday Abdul, said gunmen suspected to be Fulani mercenaries attacked the village of Nkiedoghwo in Bassa local government of Plateau in the early hours Monday.

“Victims are mostly women, children and the elderly,” Abdul, a former lawmaker, told reporters late Monday. “They were shot in a school compound where they were hiding on the instruction of security task force in the state.

“This is barbaric, inhuman and unacceptable, and we call on authorities to stop these killings. The Monday incident was not the first or second in the last two weeks,” he added.

Police spokesman Tyopev Terna neither confirmed nor denied the attack when speaking to Anadolu Agency.

“We will issue a statement on the development later,” he said.

But Suleiman Kwande, a member of parliament, confirmed the attack in a statement that urged security agencies to step up surveillance in communities.

“I call on the Federal Government to investigate the killing of over 20 persons in a primary school at Nkiedoghwo village of Irigwe Chiefdom in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State,” he said.
"The new turn of the killing of innocent people in Bassa Local Government Area in recent time is very unfortunate and disheartening. The natives of the locality in the last few weeks have suffered unprovoked attacks that resulted to the killing of innocent people.”

The attack occurred three days after three victims were reportedly killed in similar violence Saturday in the Barkin Lade area of Plateau State, where inter-tribal violence was once rife.

The clashes were often regarding land rights between the local Berom tribe and Hausa-Fulani herdsmen.