10 feared dead, 19 injured in Plateau fresh attack

By Nanchang Paul, Jos

No fewer than 10 persons have been killed by some suspected gunmen in an attack in Chando Zerreci village in Bassa Local Government council of Plateau state.

Our correspondent further gathered that 19 persons sustained injuries during the attack .

Eyewitness said the gunmen suspected to be herdsmen lunched the attack while the Irigwe annual ritual festival ‘Zerreci’ the festival that will usher them into the rainy farming season was ongoing .

The National Publicity Secretary of Irigwe Youth Movement Comrade Lawrence Zongo confirmed the attack in a statement made available to our correspondent on Sunday in Jos .

The statement reads that ” The National Leadership of Irigwe Youth Movement (IYM) condemned the attack of the Irigwe people on her annual ritual festival ‘Zerreci’ the festival that will usher them into the rainy farming season.

“They group alleged that they were attacked by herdsmen late Saturday night at about 11 pm at Chando Zerreci in Bassa Local Government of Plateau state”

Zongo further added that the 10 persons were killed and 19 people survived gunshots wounds , and are currently undergoing medical treatment at Enos Hospital Miango, while others are receiving treatment in Jos.

The statement further called on Government to come to their rescue .

“The Nigerian government has a responsibility to promote and protect human rights, including the right to life, and a duty to protect civilians from attacks by taking effective measures to prevent and deter attacks on the Rigwe people.

“The government must as a matter of urgency investigate the attack in Irigwe land and bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure families and other victims are adequately compensated.

“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.

The Irigwe nation further pleaded to International communities to come to the aid of the people and to support them with humanitarian aid.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Uba Ogaba, confirmed the attack ,adding that the command had mobilised armed officers to the place to restore normalcy.

” We are on top of the situation “he added .