Some unidentified gunmen have attacked Kwatas village of Bokkos local government in Plateau state killing at least 14 persons.
The attack was reportedly carried out at about 8:30 on Sunday when the villagers were resting in their homes after the dinner meals.
The attack came few weeks after the invasion of Kulben village of Mangu local government in which 12 people were killed.
The sin of residents of Kwatas village that led to the attack was because the vigilante group were said to have aided the arrest of seven suspects who participated in the Kulben attack.
Eye witness, Bukus Dogo said he counted 10 dead bodies when the attackers left, many were wounded and several others were missing.
The residents of Kwatas received information and threats of possible attack from unidentified group, situation that necessitated series of security meetings at the instance of the Chairman of Bokkos Local Government, Mr. Yusuf Machen.
Plateau state governor, Simon Lalong, said he received news of the attack in shock and disbelief coming as the second attack on villagers in the new year.
A statement signed by his spokesman, Simon Makut, read in part: “Governor Simon Bako Lalong has expressed fury over Sunday’s attack by yet to be identified gunmen on innocent people in Kwatas village, Bokkos LGA of Plateau State leading to deaths.
“Lalong described the attack as yet another attempt by criminals who do not mean well for the State to take it back to the dark days of insecurity that it has substantially overcome.
“The Governor while commiserating with victims and families of those killed, directed security agencies to go after the perpetrators of this heinous crime and ensure their arrest and prosecution as the State will no longer tolerate the wanton loss of lives.”
