By Muhammad Tanko Shittu
Jos
No fewer than 20 persons were reportedly killed by unknown gunmen in the early hours of yesterday at Zakupwang Fan village of Foron district in Barkin Ladi local government area of Plateau state.
Member representing Barkin Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Istifanus Gyang, in a statement signed by him and made available to newsmen yesterday, condemned the incident.
He said: “We have received with shock the killings of 20 persons early hours of yesterday through violent attacks on seven villages of Barkin-Ladi local government area.
“The renewed attacks are least expected at a time when concerted peace efforts and dialogue meetings are on-going between Berom and Fulani stakeholders.”
Gyang appealed to the Berom and Fulani stakeholders not to allow the unfortunate incident defeat the on-going peace efforts, stressing that to do so “will be of victory to those who do not want peace and have made blood-setting their vocation and daily delight”.
He further said despite this setback, he remained committed to ensuring that Barkin-Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency was rebranded from “an axis of violence and bloodshed to one of peace and prosperity”.
Gyang also called on the Special Task Force (STF) to live up to its upgraded status of providing a safe haven for all communities in his constituency and the state at large.
Worried over the killings in the state, Governor Simon Lalong has set up a 14-man committee, seven each from the Berom and Fulani communities, to reconcile their differences towards lasting peace.
