Tragedy struck Farin Lamba community in Vwang District of Jos South Local Government Area, as gunmen attacked the village, resulting in the deaths of eight villagers, including an eight-month-old baby. The assailants arrived in a car on Sunday night, firing indiscriminately at the victims. The community has been plagued by a series of killings, leading to the destruction of farmlands, homes, and properties in several areas of the state.
Rwang Tengwong, the National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Movement (BYM), expressed concern over the escalating violence and expressed gratitude for the proactive measures taken by Major General Abdusalam Abubakar, the Commander of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH). Tengwong is confident that lasting peace will be restored to the troubled regions in the state. He commended the deployment of mobile police personnel by the Federal and State governments to communities frequently targeted by attacks, while calling on Plateau residents to cooperate with security agencies in their efforts to establish lasting peace.
While the Public Relations Officer of the Police Command in Plateau, Mr. Alfred Alabo, could not be reached for comment, a senior police officer confirmed the attack. In response to the persistent violence, Member of the House of Representatives, Dachung Bagos, urged his constituents to defend themselves against the ongoing attacks. Bagos condemned the recent killing of 19 people and the burning of homes and properties by bandits in Mangu Local Government Area. He expressed frustration with the deteriorating security situation and called on citizens to exercise their right to self-defense as provided by the 1999 constitution.
Bagos emphasized the alarming number of lives lost and the disruption caused by bandit attacks, particularly in Riyom, Barkin Ladi, and Mangu. He called on law-abiding citizens to organize themselves and protect their communities in the face of the government’s apparent inability to safeguard the people. Bagos referred to Section 33(2)(a) of the constitution, highlighting the legitimacy of self-defense when facing unlawful violence or protecting property. He urged all citizens of Plateau State to remain vigilant, defend themselves against attackers, and stand united in defense of their land, asserting that their peaceful nature should not be mistaken for weakness.