By Paul Michael, Defence Editor, Abuja
No fewer than 10 persons have been confirmed dead while 19 others hospitalized after gunmen suspected to be herdsmen attacked celebrants at a cultural festival in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The Trumpet gathered that the ugly incident happened as the people of Irigwe ethnic nationality of the state were celebrating ‘Zerreci’, an annual festival meant to usher in the rainy/farming season.
National Publicity Secretary, Irigwe Youths Movement, Lawrence Zongo, who confirmed the killings to newsmen in Jos on Sunday, stated that the gunmen stormed the ritual ground at Chando Zerreci community around 11pm on Saturday while the festival was ongoing, killing the victims and leaving others injured.
“We have a tragedy in our land right now as our people have been attacked and killed again. This time, during our annual ritual festival ‘Zerreci’, the festival that will usher them into the rainy and farming season.
“They were attacked by Fulani militants normally referred to by government authorities as ‘Unknown Gunmen’ on 2nd, April 2022 at 11pm at the ritual ground Chando Zerreci in Bassa Local Government of Plateau State.
“10 people were killed and 19 people survived with bullet wounds, they are undergoing medical treatment at Enos Hospital Miango, while others have been moved to Jos,” Zongo stated.
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He also recalled that over 10 persons were killed within Rigwe village in Bassa Local Government while houses and food crops were destroyed last month.
Zongo alleged that the Fulani were responsible for the attacks and called on the government to rise up to its responsibility of protecting lives and property.
“Brutal attacks on Rigwe communities are becoming rampant and frequent. This is unacceptable. The government must take more concrete steps to protect lives and property across Rigwe chiefdom and neighboring communities.
“Nigeria authorities both at federal and state levels failed to protect the lives and properties of the Rigwe people allowing them to be at the mercy of gunmen.
“The government must as a matter of urgency investigate the attack in Rigwe land and bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure families and other victims are adequately compensated,” he said.
Residents of the community said policemen have arrived and were trying to calm the situation. However, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Ubah Ogaba, was yet to confirm the attack while filing this report.
