At least 20 persons were killed in the early hours of Monday in Zakupwang Fan Village of Foron district of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Plateau State, by unknown gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.
This, observers said, was in spite of the peace process initiated by the state governor, Simon Lalong, to restore peace to the state.
Lalong had set up a 14-man committee comprising people from the two warring parties to find a lasting solution to the lingering war of attrition between Berom farmers and Fulani cattle rearers.
Based on what was gathered, Monday's attack was carried out between 12am and 1am.
A representive of Barkin-Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Mr. Istifanus Gyang, who confirmed the incident in a statement, condemned the killings.
He said, “We have received with shock the Killings of 20 persons in the early hours of yesterday ( Monday) through violent attacks on seven villages in Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area .”
“The renewed attacks are least expected at a time when concerted peace efforts are ongoing between the Berom and the Fulani stakeholders.”
Gyang, while condemning the attacks, appealed to the Berom and Fulani stakeholders not to allow the attack defeat the ongoing peace efforts, adding that to do so would amount to awarding victory to those who had made blood-letting their vocation and daily delight.
He added that despite the 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.
The lawmaker also called on the Special Task Force to live up to its upgraded status of providing a safe haven for all communities in the state, especially in his constituency.