Gyang Bere, Jos
No fewer than 13 persons were killed on Thursday night including pregnant women at Gravity Junction of Rukuba road by unknown gunmen in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau state.
It was gathered that nine persons in a family of 10 were killed in the brutal attack and the head of the family escaped narrowly.
Saturday Sun gathered that three persons were also shot dead on Friday morning when women and youths in the community came out in their numbers to protest the gory killing.
READ ALSO Keep off rotten tomatoes to avoid cancer, NAFDAC warns Nigerians
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) DSP Matthias Terna Tyopev confirmed that attack and said some people were killed as a result of the attack.
“On the 27/09/2018 being Thursday at about 2205hrs, the Plateau State Police Command Control Room in Jos received a distress call to the effect that there were sporadic gunshots at Rukuba Road opposite Kowa Hotel, Jos.
“The Command after receiving the report mobilised Patrol Teams immediately to the scene of crime. The unknown gunmen who took advantage of the ongoing rain in the area to attack residents were forced to run from the scene by the combined superior gun fire of the Police and the Operation Safe Haven (STF).
“Some people who reside close to the hills were rescued while some persons lost their lives as a result of the attack and some others sustained gun shot injuries and were rushed to Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jos and are currently receiving treatment.”
A stakeholder in the community, who gave his name as Enock Pagyel said the military and Fulani herdsmen visited the area two days before the killings in search for a missing person.
He noted that the gunmen invaded the community at about 7pm with pistols and machetes, shooting sporadically and leaving 14 persons dead.
“It was at about 7pm that suspected gunmen attack Gravity junction in Rukuba Road in Jos North North Local Government Area and killed 13 persons, one died at Bingham University Teaching Hospital.
“Two days back, the Military and Fulani came to the area that they were looking for a corpse of a missing Fulani boy, they left and with a promise that they will come back only for the community to witness heavy attack on Thursday Night.”
Plateau state Governor, Simon Lalong, condemned that attack and called on residents of the state to remain calm and directed security agencies to fish our the perpetrators.
Lalong, in a statement through the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Hon. Yakubu Dati described the attack as unfortunate and and condoled with the bereaved families.
READ ALSO Security personnel, fire fighters, medical personnel take over NAF fighter jet crash site in Abuja
“The attention of the Plateau State Government has been drawn to an attack along Rukuba Road in the early hours of Friday morning. The unfortunate action is generating tension in Jos the state capital.”
He assures that security agencies are on top of the situation and advice citizens to go about their lawful businesses without any fear of molestation or intimidation.
The statement by the information commissioner advises citizens to shun fake news,rumour mongering and provide relevant information to security agencies to ensure a secured and peaceful state.